ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HME) today announced its corporate website, homeproperties.com, received a 14th Annual Rochester Business Journal Best of the Web Award. Winners were selected in 11 different categories by a panel of judges that evaluated each site's navigability, usability, functionality, content, visual design, standards compliance, and use of social media. Home Properties' site won in the Real Estate and Construction category and was designed by Rochester-based web design firm StormFrog.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101026/NY89070LOGO )

"Websites have evolved from a 'nice to have' feature of our business to a 'must have' marketing and sales tool," said Rosemarie Cook-Manley, Vice President of Marketing, Home Properties.  "Home Properties completely modernized the site in 2010, providing prospective residents with the ability to access key information that is updated throughout the day helping them make informed decisions about their next home."

The modernization of the site includes a newly designed, state-of-the-art site content management system that makes it easy to update and manage for the Home Properties team. Visitors to the site can learn all about Home Properties' apartment communities. If they have questions, they can initiate an online chat with the company's Contact Center for immediate assistance, or, if they're ready to visit a community, they can schedule that directly through the website.

According to one of the Rochester Business Journal's Best of the Web judges, "HomeProperties.com has an easy search feature that is up front and center, making it the main focal point for site visitors looking for apartments. Searches can be narrowed down easily and in multiple ways, plus search results are shown in both a listing and map format. Results show floor plans, pricing, availability – all the information apartment seekers are looking for, and in a concise, bulleted format that is easy to read onscreen. The extensive photo and video library make long-distance apartment shopping more convenient."

In the coming year, Home Properties plans to enhance the site's features as it rolls out a simplified mobile version that will allow for ease of search and seamless contact from mobile devices.

"As a company, we are committed to evolving with the burgeoning technology of the Web. This site allows that evolution to happen in a dynamic way that benefits people who choose to rent with us," said Cook-Manley.

Home Properties is a publicly traded apartment real estate investment trust that owns, operates, develops, acquires and rehabilitates apartment communities primarily in selected Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets.  Currently, Home Properties owns and operates 115 communities containing 38,861 apartment units.  For more information, visit Home Properties' website at homeproperties.com.

SOURCE: www.rbj.net

SOURCE Home Properties, Inc.