Google Maps now displays real estate listings

With all the discussion of the potential first-time homebuyer tax credit extension, it kind of slipped under the radar of the real estate industry.

But for those that did not see Google's Lat Long Blog post on it, Google Maps is now displaying real estate listings.

Google previously collected real estate data for its Google Base system, which used to display direct listing results on some Google real estate searches. But that option was removed from Google's result pages without much fanfare, and it appeared Google may be ducking out of the real estate listing market.

The new Maps system is a great step, simply for its ease of use. Search an area on Google Maps. Click the "More" tab on the map. Check the "Real Estate" sub-tab, and the map will display red dots representing the homes for sale in the market. Upon clicking a red dot, a window will open to display more listing details and a photo, and allow you to access the listing's real estate website.

If you are currently syndicating your listings to Google Base, they should be on the map. Some real estate brokerages use listing syndication services, and most typically syndicate to Google Base, among others.

If you're using Delta Media Group's real estate website and lead management systems and don't know if you're syndicating to Google Base, check out our News blog for details on how to do this.