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Google Maps Expands Real Estate Info

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Cal-BRE # 01734464

Google has been improving the usability of real estate information in its Google Maps function.

Users can now select the "real estate" option from the "more" button on the top right of any Google Map. They'll automatically see balloons on the maps of listings, as well as a pop-up real estate refinement panel on the left.

From there, they can refine what they are searching for by checking the boxes for renting or buying, apartment or house, as well as price range, square footage, numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms, and foreclosure listings.

Doug's Take:  I played around with this new feature for a little while today.  It is user friendly and simple, however the information was not the most accurate and/or up to date in comparison to the MLS data.  Knowing how great Google is, i'm sure the information will begin to be more accurate and more reliable as time goes by and this new feature catches on.  Kind of cool though.

clear skies,

doug

www.BuyWithDoug.com

Comments (3)

Tean Wong
Centre Realty Group - Newton, MA

ISN'T IT AMAZING WHAT GOOGLE CAN DO, BUT HOW UPDATE IS IT? I DOUBT THAT THE INFO ON GOOGLE IS ACCURATE. MANY OF THE LISTINGS ARE OUTDATED. SO I MEAN GOOGLE CAN NOT REPLACE MLS YET.

BUT ONE THING, GOOGLE HAS A GREAT FEATURE YOU SHOULD KNOW. SOME OF THEIR MAP SHOW PROPERTY'S LOT SIZE AND LOT LINE, THIS DEPENDS ON TOWN.

Nov 17, 2009 04:47 AM
David Monsour
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Gettysburg, PA
ABR - www.realty-insights.com

Very cool feature.  The only problem now is that not all listings are being given balloons.  As companies realize they need to cater to google, we'll be able to get all the info we need.  If you are a realtor I'd suggest verifying that google is getting your listing info.  I'm with prudential and ours show up. 

Nov 17, 2009 04:50 AM
Ashley Sharum
972.978.3109 - Dallas, TX
Ebby Halliday Realtors

I've tinkered around with Google Real Estate as well, just to see the accuracy of their information. Though most of it is pretty in line, some of the homes that my brokerage recently sold were still available there on the web, some 4 weeks after closing. 

It's no wonder customers call with inquiries about homes sold during mid-summer, ha!

Nov 17, 2009 05:41 AM