Google, has after much anticipation, entered the world of property listings. After much success in both Australia and the US with a similar venture it was only natural that the UK was next on its hit list.
The main beneficiary of this endeavour will be the smaller, independent agents (like us). It will take time for people to recognise this feature on Google (part of the Google maps set-up). Those wanting to find property can simply visit Google maps, type in an area or postcode and then under the ‘more’ options, select for properties to be shown. A host of pins will appear on the map which will show basic info and can be reduced by adjusting a set of filters to match your requirements.
Most of the industry software providers have jumped on this feature and most agents with a privately owned website will be able to have all their properties appear here for a small, one-off set-up fee.
The big property portals such as Rightmove and The Digital Property Group (Findaproperty, Primelocation, etc) have decided NOT to list their properties…..and for the smaller agent, this is a good thing. It enables small agents to market on par with the ‘big boys’ for little or not cost. Unheard of in almost any industry.
Will it change the industry- unlikely as the ability to search for property using a map is already employed but some of the major portals. Are portals doomed for- unlikely, at least for now, as portals cost visitors nothing to use and offer a lot more features (at present) than Google. However this is a tool that will grow in popularity and the smaller agents that embrace it and learn how to use it to their advantage will benefit with the investment of little more than a few man hours.
Anything that helps David take on Goliath(s) has got to be a good thing…..right?
