I came across a very useful feature of Google Maps recently, called “My Maps”. As the name suggests, it allows you to make custom maps by plotting points, drawing lines, making shapes and annotating on the map. There are some great ways to use this tool in real estate which can significantly help our clients:
• Plot the location of homes you plan to show your buyer. He can edit the map and add or remove homes.
• For an out-of-town buyer, illustrate local areas of interest (area schools, restaurants, jogging trails) that are not otherwise on the map. With this map, a buyer could quickly gauge whether her kids could walk to school.
• Plot your listings over the years on a map – this may help you communicate your geographic expertise to your clients… A picture is worth a thousands words!
There is also some featured content that you can use, such as Gas Prices from GasBuddy.com, a Distance Measurement tool, and of course, Google’s own Real Estate Search on its database of listings from Google Base.
To get started with My Maps, go to Google Maps and click on “My Maps” which is right under the Google Maps logo in the upper left hand corner. Underneath there, click on “Create new map” and get started with plotting the relevant points, lines and shapes to communicate more effectively with your clients!
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