2. Vacationrentals.com – $35 million (2007)
Vacation Rentals was an active website until Texas-based company HomeAway bought it for a cool $35 million, just to keep it off the hands of its nearest competitor Expedia. Today, the site remains a marketplace for all sorts of vacation deals, not only in the US but all over the globe. So “whether you’re looking for pet-friendly accommodations, panoramic ocean views, a private pool or direct beach access….,” the site is the place to go.
1. Insurance.com – $35.6 million (2010)
This high-value domain name was bought by Quin Street, the same owner behind insure.com and internet.com. Insurance.com is a car insurance comparison-shopping site although it also offers its services for life, home, health and motorcycle insurance, aggregating insurance quotes from the leading companies. Quin Street was certainly looking at the long-term when it made the $35.6 million purchase.