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Google - where 1 + 1 + 1 = 10

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Real Estate Agent with Summit Real Estate Ltd ~ Stoke - Nelson - New Zealand

Was this meant to be under the radar or not…

So far this year, many Aussies and Kiwi Real Estate Agents have made known to me their views on the “US inspired” and perhaps “perceived” future of Real Estate Marketing.

So what future direction/path could we be heading down, in the short term anyhow, down-under?

The headline , as shown above, “Google Rumoured to be Hiring Online Real Estate Sales People” from the Property Portal Watch website certainly pipped my interest.

According to the report, “sources” indicated…..

  that Google had approached a number of sales people from domain.com.au in an effort to hire them as field sales people for the Google real estate initiative. Sources also believed that Google may be initially targeting the Inner West region of Sydney.

While on a “fa-mil” to Japan in the late 80’s, I always remember a statement told to me back then by a Marubeni executive, and in a "long story short" version…..

Australia and New Zealand are fabulous testing / proving grounds for us, for products ultimately destined for USA/UK. Smaller population/support/technical backup network required for product launch due to lower population density, nearly the same political system, same language, etc. It lets us find out early if there are any hiccups/problems so that we can fine-tune for a major US launch.

The world scene is a bit more global now, but one wonders whether the reasoning behind/benefits of trial testing a product down under, don’t still stand?

This comment from propertyportalwatch.com seems to hint at a more aggressive Real Estate approach from Google in Australia.

As I’m sure you are aware, once they build up to warp speed in any one locale the Captains Log will be there for any other country to read & follow…….and that’s certainly been the way it has transpired to date with most launches, usually tagged “Beta” to start, from Google.

However AIM Group reckon they have the word from Google, that it was a storm in a teacup.

After a very visible Real Estate addition to Google Maps, perhaps this would have to be the next logical step.

Will they Inbound or outbound reps? - watch this space I suggest.

My thoughts…….…we haven’t heard/seen the last of this thread yet.

My off-site blog - www.nelsonians.com

 

 

Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I saw someone tweet this yesterday... or maybe it was the day before.  

It was you and I was intrigued but just got here to read it.  I Re-Blogged you too. 

You certainly bring a different perspective to ActiveRain.  You will have to keep us posted about what you hear from Australia.  The business about testing things down under is interesting.

 

Mar 18, 2010 05:20 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

David,

Came from Maureen's reblog. Interesting. Never thought about testing there for US and UK markets. Makes a lot of sense.

Trying to figure how that would affect us, whether I will have time to retire or not (LOL)

Mar 18, 2010 12:34 PM
David Leggott
Summit Real Estate Ltd ~ Stoke - Nelson - New Zealand - International, IT

Jon

Wouldn't think it would require retiring......just yet :-)

Guess, talking from a Kiwi perspective here, those residing in a, what you might call "lifestyle location" by nature of why they moved there in the first place, I'd suggest that they (and it could also be coupled with their age) would probably feel more at home in dealing with a realtor face to face.

However Millenials and the like who reside in the bigger cities / metroplois's, well they may be that "cash rich / time poor" variety. And just as equally, considering their age.....and the fact that they grew up with this technology......well they might just find it more palatable.

Mar 18, 2010 12:42 PM
David Leggott
Summit Real Estate Ltd ~ Stoke - Nelson - New Zealand - International, IT

Maureen

Its got "watch this space" written all over it. If I were a betting man.......I'd say this post + Google TV Set-top box in development + Google Ultra high speed 1gbps Broadband + Googles already fast ISP type network hints very clearly at one thing, a very interactive video channel called GOOGLE REAL ESTATE TV.

Thats my bet anyway. With interactive agents, very clear and HD type quality walkthoroughs of the home.

Mar 18, 2010 12:44 PM