Google Maps is Going To Be My New Real Estate Search Page
I’ve been wondering for a long time when Google would make a more sophisticated step into the real estate space. We might be seeing the first signs.
Much like Trulia, Zillow, Frontdoor and others, they’ve been quietly suctioning in real estate listings into Google Base over the last year or so (see Trulia Lands the Big One). They first rolled those out into the organic search results when they populated a link on geographic search terms — e.g. portland real estate — to a generic housing search page (see Another Hint at Google Real Estate?).
Now they seem to have quietly pushed that feature up to Google Maps as well (see Google Maps Adds Real Estate Search) and added a search for ‘real estate’ on the main page of that site. To reveal it click on “show search options” and then choose ‘real estate’ from the drop down menu.
Unfortunately, listings (depending on the Metro area) are pretty sparse right and are mostly drawn from 3rd party sources like Postlets. One could imagine how this could quickly fill up should they turn on the firehouse of data they’ve been accumulating from their broker relationships.
Google Maps is a product I find myself using more and more in my real estate searches. Usually when I’ve found a home I’m interested in (whether it’s on Trulia, Zillow or Roost), the very first thing I do is click over to a new tab, Google the address and pull it up on Maps.
From there, I can get a clear view of the street layout (access to freeways etc.), the terrain (how close is it to a park). I love Street View which gives me a first person look at the neighborhood. I start Googling local business to see how far the closest pub, pizza joint, drycleaners, etc. is from the home. I can also pull up instant directions to see how long my commute might be.
Sure I could do some of this on the originating source’s site. But like with all my other Google searches, I love the speed and clean look and feel to Maps. Now if it just had all the listings, I could just cut out the intermediary step (T/Z/R) …
In more Maps news, Google LatLong is reporting that Youtube videos are now showcased on Maps if they are geocoded and/or associated with a local business. From their blog.
Local business owners can easily add YouTube videos along with other content such as business details, photos, and descriptions to their listings. To do so, simply upload your videos to YouTube and ensure that the ‘embed’ option is turned on. Then, associate your video to your business listing through the Local Business Center.
Created a video profile of yourself and your business? Wondering how you can promote it? Here’s a pretty clear step you can take. Make sure you’ve added yourself and your video to the Google Local Business Center.
(h/t Ubertor Real Estate Blog)
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14 Comment(s)
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- From Google Maps Adds Real Estate Search | GeekEstate Blog | May 14, 2008
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- From Google Maps Proves Itself As a Priceless Tool for Real Estate | Real Estate Windfall | May 14, 2008
- From Do you use Google Maps for your real estate research? | The Magnetic Entrepreneur | May 22, 2009
Hawaii Life | May 14, 2008 | Reply
Please Google, find something else to do!!! There’s no reason to get involved with real estate, is there? : )
Ryan Elliott | May 14, 2008 | Reply
I agree! Better yet Google maps is already integrated into the Iphone and other devises. Mobile real estate search is ready to go. Google is already the #1 real estate search site; right now you are directed to brokers sites or the other aggregators. Soon you will be able to go straight to the listings.
Morgan | May 14, 2008 | Reply
Joel - I agree with you on Google maps. The more integrated the data becomes the more ubiquitous Google maps will become as a power tool for location-based searches.
The video featured in the map listing (originally highlighted on the Google blog) was made by us over at TurnHere. It’s another example of how local businesses can take advantage of video to differentiate themselves from the competition right when people are looking for relevant information.
We’re making thousands of local videos and we believe that the time is now for quality video in real estate marketing.
The need for agents to find cost effective ways to connect with consumers is more imperative than ever, and video is a great way to build that connection.
That being said, reputation is too important to risk with a poor-quality video and we’re out there talking with real estate agents and companies to showing them that online video can look professional and be cost effective at the same time.
Scott Lockhart | May 14, 2008 | Reply
This was really only a matter of time. I think the only thing we really need to question at this point is the level of commitment that Google will have to push further into this space. They have had a history of doing things like this and then letting the little guys mash it out and getting the end kudos. Entire business models are built around it… Trulia for example.
If Google can figure out how to eek more revenue by doing real estate search themselves amd not just enabling others to make money, I am sure they will do exactly that. And people were/are concerned about Zillows motives!
Mike | May 14, 2008 | Reply
I did a search in Google Base under housing with my name. All of my listings showed up. I put in the names of well known high producers and some came up with none.
I have to assume they have listings as well. I may have been lucky to be on there by using Postlets.
Windermere filled out many of the search results. Also Windermere seems to do a good job of getting their listings to show up in my google alert for Portland Real Estate. No other company has their listing show up this way. I don’t work for Windermere.
Kevin Boer | May 14, 2008 | Reply
It was only a matter of time before the volume of data in Google Base re-surfaced in another form. This is a very clever implementation. Any idea what the “mapped web pages” option is? Perhaps for geo-tagged content? What would be the difference between that and the “user-created content” option?
Tried the “View on Google Earth” option?
Overland Park Real Estate | May 14, 2008 | Reply
I have a Google Business center account but never knew you could add a Youtube video to it. Once again I have learned something new and useful from your blog.
Sean OToole | May 14, 2008 | Reply
T/Z/R are going to get squeezed from below by better broker and MLS sites, and from above by Google, Yahoo, AOL, MSN, etc. It will be interesting to see if they can carve out a space in the middle that is profitable for the long run.
Philippine Golf Course | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Google map is great indeed, I also use this to find any real estate properties all over the world. I guess Google is the best they all concern in every aspects of business to make it easy.
Jessie B | May 15, 2008 | Reply
The other interesting thing about this is that G may subtly encourage users to their G base listings with some algo tweaks that would take away some of the aggregators from top organic results. This may happen faster than not if they perceive a threat to advertising revenue like Trulia’s new ad network.
Landflip | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Sounds like Google is headed in the right direction. The must continue improving there programs if they plan on keeping up with the business…if they don’t someone else will! What will we think of next?
Brandon | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Definitely an interesting move by Google. Not sure if anyone’s checked out one of the newer online sites, http://www.BeatYouThere.com. It uses Google Maps as its base and also blends in a social network that qualifies its uses similar to the eBay community. Would be interested in everyone’s thought.
Just for disclosure purposes, I am representing the company from a PR standpoint.
Thanks!
Connecticut Mortgage | May 15, 2008 | Reply
One more reason to never leave Mother Google. They have the best email hands down, now add real estate search to the countless other things they rule.
Graeme K. Brown | May 16, 2008 | Reply
The functionality of Google Maps, plus the wealth of information on Google’s local platform, makes them an potential monster in Real Estate. And I use Monster in the most flattering way. If agents or home-seekers can get all the information from one place, why bother going elsewhere?
In regards to video, it would be interesting to see if Google just decided to create home tours themselves for listed properties, much like they do Street scenes now.