Search engine marketing is now possible in a new way for real estate buyers and sellers.  Maps.google com is now including real estate listings inside of the google local search page. Is this the start of a battle with MLS listings?

No doubt that marketing is a major player for real estate agents.  Good markets, bad markets – they still sell houses.  The importance of a new marketing channel cannot be understated.  And of course, leave it to google to get this huge ball rolling in the right direction. The world is now used to thinking google when they think search.  This is one more useful way to do a search.

This google local search example will show you what this looks like.   Suddenly, shoppers have lots of fast, free ways to look for a house in a neighborhood, see what is nearby for schools, public transportation,and restaurants.  Also, google will give them directions in an easy way.  What I love the best, though, is the Street View that you can get.  This is a drive by without a drive by.  The only problem is if google has not added your neighborhood to the street view yet.  Results can be sent to clients by GPS, email, phone and by car, yes, certain models of BMW and Mercedes Benz have google maps integration.  Yes, real estate google maps.  Love it.

If you are a real estate agent/broker, by now you are wondering how to take advantage of this news.  The google local search in maps has a site just for your information, advising how to best take advantage of this local search marketing channel.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.