Walk softly, carry a big stick
By Matt Carter, Wednesday, May 14, 2008.Bookmarking Sites
Joel Burslem has been keeping a close watch on Google's stealthy moves in the real estate space on his blog, Future of Real Estate Marketing. Not only has Google been adding property listings from many sources to classified platform Google Base, but they've created a generic Google Base housing search page -- a possible step toward a "Google Real Estate" portal, Burslem thinks.
Now Burslem notes that Google is quietly pushing listings onto Google Maps and has created a real estate search category. For now, listings appear sparse, Burslem says, but it's easy to imagine "how this could quickly fill up should they turn on the firehose of data (Google has) been accumulating from their broker relationships."
Burslem says Google Maps is already part of his routine when scoping out homes, because it helps him get a feel for the neighborhood a listing is located. Now, he says, it's looking like "Google Maps is going to be my new real estate search page."
To see Google Maps real estate search in action, go to Google Maps, and type the name of a city and "real estate." Or you can click on the tiny blue letters next to the search box, "Show search options," which opens up a pull-down menu that offers to "Restrict results to." Select "real estate" and go to town (right click the screen shot above for an example).
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Submitted by John Foxworthy on May 14, 2008 - 1:55pm.
Maps are becoming an everyday necessity to search real estate, travel plans, vacation rentals and so much more! Want to see Google Maps in action with vacation rentals check out http://www.FurnishedHomes.com. We take a step further with the help of Google and search all properties near landmarks, sports venues and more. Type in an address, zip code or landmark and the map populates with all nearby vacation homes. Google map mashups are just starting to scratch the surface to offer more information to interested parties in real estate.
Submitted by Ann-Marie Murphy on May 15, 2008 - 12:20pm.
I agree with Joel. I'd be shocked if Google stays quiet in this arena while Yahoo continues to build steam -- and traffic -- with its real estate listings and articles. Google's got the perfect medium too, through these map mashups, that sites like Trulia and others are already using to create very cool real estate portals.
Submitted by Michael Taylor on May 16, 2008 - 4:17am.
Yikes. If G really pushes this and puts some effort into it, this could be another fierce competitor for eyeballs on the web. Trulia and Zillow are one thing, but trying to compete with Google, whoa.
Mike Taylor
Fishers real estate agent
Submitted by Matthew Dollinger on May 20, 2008 - 7:58pm.
I believe that this is the type of competition that forces those in the industry to move forward, and something that I have followed with interest and excitement. With Realtor.com overloaded with agent and company advertisements and Trulia now opening it's doors to similar pay-per-click opportunities, I'm interested to see how Google works this into their model.
Personally, I feel that this is exactly what the industry needs to keep it moving forward. I also believe that where pulling all the information the consumer needs/wants into one place is exactly what their looking for, not even Google will ever be able to replace the patience, trust, empathy and... for lack of a better word... Love... that is supplied by a great Realtor.
Matthew Dollinger
Performance Coach
@properties, Chicago IL