Description
CoStar Group is a provider of information, analytics and marketing services to the commercial property industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain. Founded in 1987 by Andrew C. Florance, the company has grown to include online database CoStar and many online marketplaces, including Apartments.com, LoopNet, Lands of America, and BizBuySell.
History
CoStar Group was founded in 1987 by Andrew C. Florance in Washington, D.C.
In 1998, the company became a public company via an initial public offering on the NASDAQ, raising $22.5 million.
In 2004, CoStar Group, Inc. v. LoopNet, Inc. became a landmark case in copyright law.
In October 2009, the company acquired a building in Washington, D.C., now its headquarters, from the Mortgage Bankers Association for $41.3 million. The building had sold 2 years earlier for $79 million and the company claims it used its analytics data to know the right time to buy.
In April 2012, CoStar Group acquired LoopNet for $860 million.
In April 2014, the company acquired Apartments.com for $585 million.
In April 2015, the company acquired Apartment Finder for $170 million. In July, the company acquired Belbex an online marketplace and information provider for commercial property based in Spain.
In February 2017, the company acquired Westside Rentals.
In February 2018, the company acquired ForRent.com from Dominion Enterprises for $350 million in cash and $35 million in stock. In October, the company acquired Realla.co.uk an online marketplace for commercial property based in the United Kingdom. In November, the company acquired Cozy Services for $68 million.
In February 2019, the company announced that Oxford Economics will provide the economic data and forecasts used in CoStar’s products. In June, it was announced that CoStar Group would acquire Off Campus Partners, LLC, an online marketplace for off campus student housing. In October, it was announced that CoStar Group would acquire STR, Inc, in hospitality data analytics, for $450 million.
In November 2020, it was announced that CoStar Group acquired Homesnap, a residential mobile application provider for $250 million in cash.
In April 2021, it was announced that CoStar Group acquired Homes.com, a residential real estate website from Dominion Enterprises for $156 million in cash.
