New Norwegian Portal Hjem.no Aims to Take On Finn

A new agent-owned real estate portal has launched in the lucrative Norwegian market intending to provide competition for the country's leading marketplace, Schibsted-owned Finn.no

Hjem (meaning 'home') is the name given to the new marketplace being run by Oslo-based digital real estate company Bomega. The venture is backed by several leading brokerage companies across Norway and uses Norwegian-developed technology.

According to Bomega General Manager, Rune Paulseth, the new portal has been set up with one goal in mind: to break the perceived monopoly of horizontal marketplace Finn.no in the real estate sector.

"Norwegian consumers dislike monopolies and want options. This applies in particular when they have to make important decisions. Buying and selling housing is to a large extent one such a decision."

Hjem uses artificial intelligence to match buyers and sellers showing not only direct matches but also suggesting homes that buyers might be interested in. The portal also claims to offer a more flexible map and search function than its rival.