SOURCE: The New York Times

Redfin, an online real estate brokerage firm based in Seattle, had received $12 million investment led by the marquee venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson. After the investment the mortgage industry melted down and home sales slowed to a crawl. Zillow, Terabitz and Trulia, another online start up were in the same boat.

Even though the real estate industry has taken a bit hit, these online start-ups are surviving nicely. Each company recently reported strong sales and increases in Web traffic.

"In September, we thought it was maybe the beginning of a very long downturn," said Glenn Kelman, Redfin's chief executive. "But for whatever reason, the last few months have been very strong for us."

Read full report »