Privacy Policy

We at the Homes Connection of MetroWest Inc. (referred to as "Homes Connection," "we," "us," or "our") recognize the importance of protecting the privacy of certain information ("Information") collected about our customers and prospective customers (referred to as "Customers," "you" or "your"). This privacy statement discloses what information we gather, how we use it, and how to correct or change it. At Homes Connection, it is our intention to give you an understanding about how we collect your Information and the use we make of it in the course of our business.

To that end, Homes Connection gathers two types of information about Customers: data that Customers provide through optional, voluntary registration on our sites; and data Homes Connection gathers through aggregated tracking, mainly by tallying page views throughout our sites. Such information enables us to tailor our content to fit Customers' needs better. Be assured that Homes Connection will not disclose personal Information to third parties.

How does Homes Connection collect Information?

• Optional Registration: We collect information by specifically requesting it from you. Generally this occurs when you register at a site or request information or a service. Usually, the Homes Connection site uses your information to operate the sites and to deliver services. The Homes Connection site also uses your information to inform you about other products or services available from Homes Connection and its affiliates.
• Usage tracking

Use of Internet Protocol ("IP") Addresses

An IP address is a unique number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you're surfing the Internet so that your computer can be identified by the main computers, known as "Web servers," that "serve up" Web pages.

Homes Connection collects IP addresses for the purposes of system administration and to audit the use of our site. When Customers request pages our servers log the Customers' IP addresses. We do not normally link IP addresses to anything personally identifiable, which means that a Customer's session will be logged, but the Customer will remain anonymous to us. We can and will use IP addresses to identify a Customer when we feel it is necessary to enforce compliance with our site terms of use or terms of service or to protect our service, site, customers or others.

Use of Cookies

What are cookies? Cookies are small pieces of information that a Web site sends to your computer for record-keeping purposes, which information is stored in a file on your computer. Cookies make Web surfing easier for you by saving your preferences so that we can use the saved information to facilitate your use of our Web site when you return to the site. Cookies do not tell us your individual identity unless you have chosen to provide it to us. We never save passwords or credit card information in cookies. The use of cookies is an industry standard, and as such, you'll find that most major Web sites use them.

By showing how and when Customers use a site, cookies help us see which areas are popular and which are not. Many improvements and updates to the site are based on such data as total number of visitors and pages viewed. This information is most easily tracked with cookies. We use the information from cookies to provide services better tailored to our Customers' needs.

Most cookies expire after a defined period of time, or you can delete your cookie file at any time. Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. You can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, note that some parts of this Web site will not function properly or may be considerably slower if you refuse cookies. For example, without cookies, you will not be able to set personalized preferences, and/or may have difficulty completing some transactions.

Homes Connection has two primary uses for its cookies. First, we use them to specify a Customer's preferences. For example, Customers can specify keywords across several categories or markets so you don't have to tell us repeatedly. Second, we use cookies to track Customers' Web site usage trends and patterns. This helps us understand our Customers' needs better and improve areas of Homes Connection's services that our Customers find valuable. While both of these activities depend on the use of cookies, you have the option of disabling the cookies via your browser preferences.

With whom does Homes Connection share my Information?

As a general rule, Homes Connection will not disclose any specific personal information that you submit to us about you ("Personal Information") in a manner that connects you with the Personal Information, except when we have your permission or under special circumstances, such as when we believe in good faith that the law requires it or under the circumstances described below. The following describes some of the ways that your Personal Information may be disclosed.

Homes Connection may disclose account Information in special cases when we have reason to believe that disclosing this Information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be violating Homes Connection's terms of use or terms of service, or may be causing injury to or interference (either intentionally or unintentionally) with any of Homes Connection's rights or property, other Homes Connection Customers, or anyone else Homes Connection may disclose or access account Information when we believe in good faith that the law requires it and for administrative and other purposes that we deem necessary to maintain, service, and improve our products and services.

How can you control the usage of Information?

In case you change your mind or some Personal Information changes (such as your zip code or e-mail address), we will try to provide a way to correct, update or remove the Personal Information that you give us. We also give you the opportunity to control the communications we direct to you. If a Customer wishes to update Personal Information or objects to any usage provided herein for any reason, he/she may e-mail the requested change to us at our Contact page.

What happens when you link to a third party site?

You should be aware that when you are on the Homes Connection Web site you could hyperlink or be directed to other sites that are beyond our control and/or outside our service. For example, if you "click" on a third-party link or a search result, the "click" may transfer you off the Homes Connection site. These other sites may send their own cookies to Customers, collect data, or solicit Information.

Homes Connection does not control such sites, and, therefore, is not responsible for their contents or the hyperlinks. Homes Connection's policy does not extend to anything that is inherent in the operation of the Internet.

Please keep in mind that whenever you give out information online (for example, via message boards or chat) that information can be collected and used by people you don't know. Homes Connection strives to protect their Customers' information and privacy. We cannot guarantee the security of any information you disclose online, and you disclose such information at your own risk.

Is my Information secure from others using the Homes Connection site?

The security of all information associated with our Customers is an important concern to us. We exercise care in providing secure transmission of your information from your computer to our servers. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your information, Homes Connection can't ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us or from our online products or services, and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, Homes Connection uses industry standard efforts to safeguard the confidentiality of your information. However, "perfect security" does not exist on the Internet.

YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS

By using this site, you signify your agreement to Homes Connection's Privacy Policy. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SITE. Your continued use of Homes Connection's site following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.

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©2004 - The Homes Connection of MetroWest Inc.
All rights reserved.
91 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721
Phone: 508-231-4566, Fax: 508-231-4570