New business models continue to emerge in the online real estate space. The latest comes from Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Reply.com, a five-year-old company that this week will begin offering a way for consumers to make unsolicited bids for homes.

That means if that 1920 Craftsman on the corner isn't for sale, you could still make an offer.

Like Zillow.com, the company says it will also offer aerial photographs and valuations for more than 70 million U.S. homes. And like Homepages, it is attempting to compile neighborhood information, including information on schools.

But the big idea here is the "unsolicited offer."

Using Reply.com, home shoppers could conduct research on a home and then -- for $24.95 -- have an offer sent to the home owner. It is then up to the home owner to decide whether to pursue the offer or not.

It is an interesting idea, trying to buy homes that aren't for sale. But there are some inherent challenges, especially the fact that many home owners are firmly rooted and don't want to sell. Still, Reply.com Chief Executive Payam Zamani suggests that "every home in the country is for sale – for the right price!"

The Wall Street Journal reports that Seattle-based Redfin is contemplating a similar service, though pricing has not yet been set.

At this time, the Reply.com Web site is not operational. However, a spokeswoman for the company said they are doing some final tweaks and it should be up this week. Founded in 2001, Reply.com initially started as a way of matching consumers with house painters, auto mechanics and other service providers. Those features will continue, but it is now putting more of its weight behind home valuations and unsolicited offers.

Zamani, who previously founded Autoweb.com, raised $17 million from BA Venture Partners, ORIX Venture Finance and others last summer.

Here's more coverage from The Associated Press and Inman News.