Google Maps the Next Real Estate Search Engine?
January 15, 2010 by Deyanira Bautista
Filed under Technology & Real Estate
I guess it was just a matter of time before Google decided to monetize on the home search queries. A lot of real estate related websites are now using google maps (in the form of a plugin) as part of their listings, and so far is working out just fine.
I’ve noticed more and more properties appearing on google maps – or Google Real Estate 2.0 as they are calling it- since this last summer, and the last time I checked there were a lot of listings from the west coast of the US. But slowly is moving into Canadian territory. More and more Canadian cities are listing their properties online with google base. Agents and brokers are able to upload their listings via google base or RSS (I have yet to check into it). I was surprise to see that not many brokers/agencies listed from Montreal, there are 2 main websites getting most of the hits from google real estate map searches.
Will they compete with the MLS®, Realtor® website?
Compete, most probably. But they are neither a broker nor a MLS system, according to their disclaimer. The complete answer and explanation is found in their FAQ for Real Estate Agents and Brokers:
“Is Google a broker? A national MLS?
We’re neither. Our role is to connect users as quickly as possible with the information they need. People come to us looking for all kinds of information, including housing listings, comparable pricing, and how to find an agent or broker in their area. In all cases, we want to deliver these users to the industry experts who can provide the most useful answers.”
Well, as long as they don’t start crawling the MLS the Realtors.ca database -without permission- they will be lawsuit free. It makes me wonder if, say, 5 years from now, Google Maps -Real Estate 2.0 will be more popular than our Realtor’s site. We’ll have to wait and see.
What do you think?
Posted by: Deya Bautista - Affiliated Real Estate Agent working as part of the McGill Immobilier team. Specializing in condos and revenue property in the metropolitan area of Montreal. For buying or selling contact Deya at: 514.917.7889 
I have used google maps and more specifically the "walk" source and it is often confusing. Usually the camera is not pointed at the correct house and you can't see the address of the house so it isn't of much assistance. When it comes to vieiwing specific houses google maps and the walk source is more useful for having a closer look at the neighborhoods surrounding houses and general curb appeal. You can see right away if there are run down houses on the block.
I believe it will even sooner then 5 years. For example I will not use a Realtor or MLS site on my next house sale. As well during the new era of internet the Realtors are not needed any more in the format they provided they services before. The fee currently charged is too expensive and we can get access to the information from internet ourselves those days.
Everyday, more and more people are falling in love with the benefits google maps have especially realtors and home buyers. Google maps became an even more useful tool for those online real estate searchers.
This goes straight to the point I was trying to make in my blog post (which you commented on) a few months ago: Away with the middle-man (http://www.seekodin.com/MTLRants.asp?BE=10007)
Whichever party controls data and information is the one that will come on top in the end.
It does indeed.