Google Earth

[CyberSunshine]

Just wondering what the thoughts are out there from real estate agents and brokers on the new Google Earth. Is it something that is worth integrating into your website? Do you think it would create value for your users?

[HHI Golf Guy]

If Google Earth has the detailed satellite images for your area that can zoom down to the lot or home, then it may be worth the $400 investment for Google Earth Pro. Google Earth plus has less functionality, but it's a steal at 20 bucks.

We use Google Maps for some of our real estate client sites. It's free to incorporate in your site. All you need is a Google Maps API key. The only sticky point with incorporating G Maps is getting the exact coordinates to show where the home is located.

You may also want to look in to MSN Virtual Earth (http://virtualearth.msn.com/).

[gemini]

I think it is worth looking into. Check out the way Pru integrated their stuff into GE http://www2.prupref.com/announce/google-earth.php

[CyberSunshine]

Thanks for the feedback. I hope to get more input...I'm in charge of new product development at our company and was really just wanting to find out what the general attitude was on the market by real estate agents and brokers about the value of it on their website. Would you find value in it or be more likely to purchase a website that had it integrated? We are extremely familiar with the technology and can most definitely integrate it (we already did in a local MLS system).

[gemini]

Are you representing Point2Agents? I've seen them integrating Google Earth - I thought it was pretty impressive. I think this is great optional/additional service/feature that some people can appreciate and worth spending time on.

[Shimmer]

In the last year Google has found itself thrust in an unfamiliar position. First, it has had to contend with the loss of half of its market share after Yahoo! dropped Google as its SERPS provider and began focusing on its own modified version of Inktomi. Additionally,
the rise of MSN Search has further evened out the search engine playing field.

Second, while Google is still the de facto leader of the search engine world, it is now a leader people love to hate. Google's meteoric rise to fame and its hypnotic hold on the search industry have led some observers to compare Google to Microsoft.

The end result? Google occupies only an estimated 35 to 40 percent of the search engine market share. With Yahoo and MSN taking over another 40 to 50 percent, webmasters have had to readjust and consider optimizing their websites Yahoo and MSN as well.

[Ripliancum]

Google Earth is a great tool in Real Estate, especially searching for property. There are sites that have integrated google earth and MLS so you can search MLS visually and then see exactly where certain properties are. It’s a wonderful tool.