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January 14, 2006
Real Estate for Google Earth by Re/Max - Again!
Real estate applications are probably one of the most obvious uses for Google Earth. Combining house listings with actual location information and viewing the satellite or aerial photographs of the property and nearby amenities is just the beginning. Just a few months after Google Earth was released last June, I wrote about a serious real estate application which was done for Re/Max for listings in the State of Colorado, USA. Now, Re/Max in Quebec, Canada has also done their own network link for Google Earth showing real estate listings in Quebec (NOTE: many of the listings' descriptions are only in French).
You can go to their web site (English version) to download the network link, or you can download the network link here 
.
Once you download the network link, zoom into Quebec and...
Once you download the network link, zoom into Quebec and pause a few seconds. The network link will automatically pull in more data as you get in closer - after you pause for about 4 seconds. Once you zoom in to a neighborhood, you will see actual listings (they will have dollar values in their placemark's label). Then, if you click on a placemark for a house, you will see a picture of the house, details on price and specs, and a link to the web site with further details and who to contact about buying.
One could speculate Re/Max wouldn't do another application if the first one wasn't successful. I know if I was looking for a house, I would definitely use Google Earth to help me determine the best location, and determine what businesses and schools were in the area before visiting the location in person. By the way, I also wrote about another real estate company in Florida which created a network link like this.
Posted by FrankTaylor at January 14, 2006 06:22 PM
Comments
Posted by: sheldon at January 15, 2006 01:37 AM
Nice integration on GE, but, as usual, another real estate application that has no idea how homes are actually bought and sold.
If I am a prospective seller I have no care as to where Re/Max has listings .. I'm selling not buying.
If I am a prospective buyer I care less what company has the property listed... I want a property that meets my needs.
Apparently Canada is just as screwed up as is the US where the 'real' database of properties for sale is in the closely controlled (and expensive) regional monopolies ... ooops, I mean MLS organizations.
If someone wants to create a tool that will really take off, we need one that shows all property based on user-input criteria, _regardless_ of which company listed it.
Then, we'd be on to something indeed.
Posted by: Dave Starr at January 15, 2006 01:50 PM
House Values just launched a new product that integerates any and all information that a consumer needs when buying and selling their home. They also partnered with MSNBC for two years.
Posted by: Brett at January 16, 2006 12:23 AM
Nice rant by David Starr but...there is in Canada a consolidation of the MLS online and available to the public at www.mls.ca . In the US, Realtor.com does a great job of consolidating multiple company listings into 1 searchable database. Just because an individual company or Realtor puts up a web site to promote their business does not lessen the availability of the other sites.
Posted by: Chris Hoare at January 19, 2006 03:53 PM
Dave Starr, it seems like you're a bit frustrated with Realtors and their systems. My Realtor was awesome to work with, very professional and knowledgable. Maybe you should get into the business, join the so-called monopolies, master it and then create a system that would benefit not only others but benefit you as well. You've pointed out the problems, where is your solution?
Posted by: Richie Cal at February 10, 2006 04:04 PM
in italy there is a real estate gmaps mash up integrated with google earth
www.maiom.com
Posted by: maiom at October 25, 2006 09:00 AM
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what books I could read to learn how to incorporate google earth into a website the way that others have in regards to real estate?
Posted by: Eddie12345 at November 12, 2006 10:41 PM
There is another website out there that uses Google Maps: www.newplat.com
It just opened and doesn't care what company has the listing. Each listing has it's agent name included anyway.
Posted by: Richard S. at January 5, 2007 06:55 PM
I'm still waiting to see a good example of the integration for UK related websites. I havent come across any decent examples of it, or am i looking in the wrong places?
Posted by: sell my house fast at May 14, 2007 09:34 AM
I agree that real estate is the most logical place in the world to use G! maps and G! Earth, and the RE/MAX thing is cool...
That nothwithstanding there are some good points made above about looking through the glasses of the consumer. We constantly have to ask--What's in it for them?
If nothing, then why do it?
Eric
Posted by: Eric Blackwell RE/MAX Properties East at May 17, 2007 01:46 PM
I have yet to witness a good example of the integration within Spanish Property related websites. Anybody else found any?
Posted by: Fast House Sale at September 1, 2007 12:44 PM
I just noticed when I do my local real estate search google sticks in big letter "search local real estate" right on top. Why are they touching the organic stuff. Not google way. Stick to what you do.
Posted by: Portland Real Estate at January 14, 2008 04:13 AM
I have one for real estate in Greece: http://www.gr-navigator.com/?lng=eng
As for forsale and forrent by owner in the US: http://www.4everyplace.com/
Posted by: George at February 23, 2008 11:30 AM
Thanks good information.
Posted by: Jhon at April 1, 2008 01:23 PM
I found a cool site with some interesting ideas of using google earth for real estate here:
Posted by: jody at July 5, 2008 04:57 AM
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NOTE: Please use English. Comments are moderated.
I believe we have this feature available to us through Point2agent sites and have had for some time. It's a nice feature and shows re/max is committed to being a leader in this industry.
Sheldon Johnston
Coldwell Banker Johnston
http://network-news.blogspot.com/
http://edmonton-homes.blogspot.com/