As a web developer, I would advise you to find a web development firm
and simply have a site priced. Your concerns reveal an ethical
sensitivity, but fortunately are insubstantial.
1) Verbiage on a typical mortgage site is generic enough that
paraphrasing/rearranging will keep you out of copyright trouble.
2) You can link to wherever you want. If the target of the link
doesn't want you linking to them then they will ask you to remove the
link.
3) I did some work on Homebanc's site years ago and found that
financial calculators are all but free. If you find one that's really
impressive then you can usually license it for anywhere from $20-$200
bucks as a one-time fee. The web developer would then incorporate it.
The one expense on a site that is unavoidable is the site design. You
simply can't take that from another site. You probably wouldn't want
another company's defunct site because it represents a different
brand, or at least a brand that isn't your own.
So the short answer to your question is this: it is both possible and
realistic to buy a used web site, but after rebranding through design
work, you will have literally paid for a new site.
Recommended course of action: get quotes from a design firm that has a
portfolio of sites you like. Ask them to pitch some ideas to you and
when you have found a firm that does work you like, completely
relinquish creative control. Nothing screws up a good idea like a
business owner who wants to dictate creative direction!
I hope these comments help. They are of course just my personal
opinion, but I feel it's the best way to go. |
