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Web 2.0 The Magazine |
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A Journal for Exploring New Internet Frontiers.
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Category: Community What It Is: Google Maps — Real Estate exploits the expanded capabilities of Google Maps to show the location of properties for sale and enable users to spend virtual time exporing neighborhoods of interest to the home buyer. Price: FREE for basic service
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Google Maps — Real Estate |
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product review |
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Copyright © 2010, Web 2.0 The Magazine. All rights reserved. |
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Google Maps — Real Estate Are you looking for a new home in a new neighborhood? Or are you a realtor? Google Maps is a resource for those seeking houses currently on the market and for those who wish to expand their listings beyond the multiple listing services (MLS). Let’s assume that exposure to inventory is a good thing for those trying to sell properties and that agents and brokers will, at a minimum, use Google in addition to their MLS service to provide access to information about their inventories to potential purchasers. Let’s assume, further, that you are a potential purchaser. What do you get from Google Maps Real Estate? How does it compare to a realtor’s MLS service? Which do you use? After very little time spent with both Google Maps Real Estate and one of the MLS services, the value of each becomes fairly obvious. If you are just beginning your search for a new home, Google Maps is available for very quick, easy and close-up orientation to a new area. Once you have settled onto a specific area, then the MLS service combined with a realtor of your choice enables you to get the kind of detail and personal help that potential buyers seek in order to make the entire move happen. In the early stages of your search, go to Google.com , pick Maps and enter a town or other location in the search box. Click on Search Maps. A Google map of your selected area will appear. Next, click on the More button across the top of the map and check the Real Estate check box. You are immediately presented with available properties on the column to the left of your map. Each property is identified by a letter, which is shown on the map. Clear and concise information is provided about each property found as well as additional search capability. All normal Google Maps facilities including Street View, where available, are for your use in exploring new neighborhoods on foot. One down side is that realtors may not yet be posting all properties on Google Maps Real Estate that you may be interested in. However, you can use Google Maps to find houses currently on the market, search nearby for schools, restaurants, public transportation and more. You can also easily find directions between an attractive property and other favorite places. The screen print below shows the results of checking the real estate box on the Google map for Jefferson Valley, NY.
One example of the Multiple Listing Service for the same location is below:
Whether you are an individual or a realtor, you will benefit by Google’s open API. Mash-ups are already available. Below is an example of one mash-up that combines a variety of tools. With www.vpike.com you can explore neighborhoods and then go to an extension site, ViewOfHouse.com for house values, lot sizes, other property information, as well as a neighborhood drive-through simulator. 3D Google Earth views and area photos from Panoramio are also part of the mash-up.
Agents and brokers can post listings in a data feed by exporting listings from their databases on a regular basis. http://maps.google.com/help/maps/realestate/data_provider_faq.html
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