Independent News & Media (INM) has bought property website Propertynews.com.
The site lists nearly 20,000 properties covering Northern Ireland and neighbouring counties in the Republic.
Some 99 per cent of estate agents in the North list their properties on the site, and it is estimated that about 90 per cent of all properties for sale in the North at any given time are shown on it.
INM has also acquired the Propertynews monthly newspaper. The paper and then the website were founded by Graham and Lorna Brown who started the business in 1983. The website was launched in 1998.
Mr Brown and chief executive Conor MacCarrick will continue to head up the group.
PropertyNews.com extended its franchise into the Republic of Ireland last May and claims a market share of 70 per cent in Donegal and an estimated 25 per cent across ten other counties.
INM chief executive Sir Anthony O'Reilly said: "The combination of Propertynews.com and INM's online and newspaper operations will allow the group to offer estate agents and home-owners an unrivalled package."
