Trulia just implemented Google Maps Street Views into their home search, “just solds”, and property records.
Google Maps Street Views is currently out in about 40 cities, but undoubtedly, in Google’s attempt to take over the planet, more cities are on tap.
Due to privacy concerns, Street Views has been a source of controversy and even lawsuits. Despite this, it’s hard to argue with its application for real estate.
In true Trulia fashion, the Street View module is seamlessly integrated.
Trulia says they are “the first national real estate search web site to incorporate Google’s Street View technology” (from a pre-release PowerPoint presentation). I know of at least two IDX search providers (Diverse Solutions and RealBird) that implemented Street Views last week. UPDATE: Whoops, actually RealBird’s Street View application is for single[property websites, not IDX search…
It’s my guess more will follow.
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Trulia graphic shamelessly lifted from TruliaBlog.
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Consumerism, Geo-mapping columnist
Marketing columnist
I think it’s a great integration. I would like to see Trulia do a huge educational campaign (I’d love to use whatever materials to help out instructing) direct to Realtors. I know in our area, whenever I mention T or Z in classes, the whole room groans and grumbles of “terrible info” and “stealing our business” start popping up. As a consumer, I love these sites and if I were a Realtor, I’d try to capitalize on the great tools already available instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. Great job Trulia team!
What’s your personal take on this, Jay? You’ve forgotten more about this kinda thing then I’ll know by next year.
To tell you the truth, I’m a little torn on this one.
I really do think this is a fabulous integration and I believe “most” consumers will love to see the streets that they may call their next home without hopping into their cars to do a drive by. I don’t think anything can replace actually going to the a home to see it for yourself, however I do think this could be another way for consumers to narrow down their home searches.
Now on the flip side; for me personally I can see why there has been some controversy in regards to the “privacy” of it all. There is a little part of me that is a bit freaked out about knowing that at any given time someone could be looking at my front door. The whole concept reminds me of the Will Smith movie Enemy of The State (maybe that’s my problem…I watch too many movies).
Overall, I think the integration has a great benefit to both consumers and agents. YAY Trulia!
Jeff (and anyone else that might care) –
I think it (Street View) *could* be a valuable tool for people searching for homes. My new IDX provider has it (though SV is still weak in Phoenix metro coverage — it’s a big, spread out city…).
We get a LOT of out of area buyers, who know little to nothing about the area, and SV can provide a pretty good insight. Yes, buyers still need to eyeball properties, but something like this can serve to at least get people up to speed faster.
That said, I do understand the privacy concerns. Just the other day we were at a listing appointment and the sellers were amazed at how much we knew about them and their home from what we found online — when they bought, what they paid, how much they put down, refi’ed, etc.
Online privacy (or lack thereof) is a growing concern. If I lived in the same town as my psycho-stalker ex-wife, I would be concerned.
But (and this is a bit of a cop out) the fact is, it’s not going away. “It” being the internet and what it breeds — things like Street View, online record access, etc. In a perfect world (which obviously we are not in) there would be provisions for opting out of things like Street View. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Sadly, it will likely take some sort of tragedy (someone hunting someone down via Street View, a terrorist attack or something of that ilk) to press anything like an opt-out into reality.
Thanks Jay — your thoughts are much appreciated.
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aside- you can opt out of google streetview if you a)own the property and b) have a good enough reason for them to do so at best, it’s subjective and should not hinge on a particular reason to opt out. In saying that, I agree this is fantastic for the re consumer will become to popular in the long run it will probably outweigh any con,
Some propeller-head at Google determining if my reason for opting out is “good enough” isn’t good enough. But I’ll be surprised if it ever opens up to real opt-out. ie: if I don’t want it there I click a button and it’s gone.
I think it’s a great tool for people relocating to a community they don’t know – I was discussing with Rudy how I’m dying to see how Google represents a waterfront property……stay tunned.
This is only the second time I have seen StreetView used on a real estate website (the first on a national site). It appears they were able to get a larger or maybe more wide angle version then the one you generally can embed off of Google. Trulia seems to be working hard to make a name for themselves.