Over the past few months, I have spent more time using ExpiredDomains.net for finding domain names. I use the site pretty much every morning to supplement the various lists of upcoming domain name auctions I review. I also use the site to look for new listings on different domain name sales platforms and marketplaces.

One thing I recently discovered is the “watchlist” feature. Next to each domain name row, there is an unfilled star that can be clicked to add individual domain names to my watchlist. I can then click on the Watchlist button and the domain names I have starred will appear on the list.

I have an account at Network Solutions that has domain names I won at NameJet auctions. I periodically move my domain names to GoDaddy, and I typically keep fewer than 20 domain names in my NSI account.

There have been a number of times I have read about domain names that were stolen from Network Solutions accounts. DomainGang.com has done a good job of covering domain name theft, and a Google search for “site:domaingang.com Network Solutions stolen” shows quite a few articles that were published about domain names that were allegedly stolen from Network Solutions accounts over the years. In addition, I recently wrote about a security incident at Web.com registrars, including Network Solutions and Register.com.

When I logged into my NSI account a couple of days ago, I was prompted to make some security updates to my account. I created a pin code and went through a couple of additional steps to ensure my account is secure. This afternoon, I received an email from Network Solutions “introducing a whole new level of security.” Here’s what I was told:

I was on the Clubhouse domain investor chat organized by Jen Sale last Friday evening, and the topic of domain investing mistakes was brought up. I did not speak out in the Clubhouse room, but I want to share a domain investing mistake I have made many times and will continue to make in the future.

After selling a domain name to a buyer, I occasionally go out to look for similar domain names that I think could also be appealing to the buyer. By way of a hypothetical example, if I sold DomainInvesting.com, I might try to buy DomainInvestor.com or DomainInvestment.com in a private acquisition or future auction. Because of my past success selling the similar domain name, I tend to be more aggressive than normal in buying the subsequent domain name(s). After all, I have my own comparable sale to know the potential resale value.

At the end of January, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation acquired the iconic Home.com domain name from Anything.com for an undisclosed amount of money. Shortly thereafter, the company launched an independent website on Home.com. It looks like Fairway was not satisfied with buying just one exceptional domain name.

Fairway also recently acquired its brand match Fairway.com domain name. If you visit Fairway.com, you are forwarded to the much longer FairwayIndependentMC.com, home of the Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation website. Whois records show that the domain name is now registered at GoDaddy under Whois privacy.

Verisign (NASDAQ ticker symbol: VRSN ) reported its Q4 2020 earnings after the closing bell this afternoon. In the press release announcing its earnings, the company also announced a price hike is coming for .com domain names. The current wholesale rate Verisign charges domain registrars is $7.85/year for .com domain names, and this price will increase to $8.39/year on September 1, 2021.

Here’s the relevant excerpt from the press release:

If you’ve been investing in domain names for any amount of time and did Whois lookups on some of the top domain names, I am sure you’ve come across Anything.com. The company owns top tier domain names like Kitchen.com, Marketing.com, Hip.com, and many other valuable domain names. I would have listed other domain names, like Home.com, but that domain name was recently sold.