Google adds real estate search to Google Maps NZ

Google adds real estate search to Google Maps in New Zealand

AUCKLAND, 6 July 2009 - Google today announces the addition of a real estate search feature to Google Maps in New Zealand: http://maps.google.co.nz/realestate.

The new feature allows real estate agents, franchise groups and portals alike to upload their listings directly to Google Maps at no cost, making them more easily discoverable by the hundreds of thousands of Google Maps users in New Zealand.

Andrew Foster, product manager, Google, says, “We know many New Zealand home buyers are already using Google Maps to help with their house-buying and renting decisions, especially driving directions and Street View. By making real estate listings available right in Google Maps, we can drive qualified buyers directly to listings.

“It's a simple and free way for real estate companies to make their listings even more discoverable and have them seen on an easy-to-navigate map.”

The new feature, which is launching today with tens of thousands of listings right across the country, lets potential home buyers enter a city or suburb and see available listings represented by markers or small circles on the map. They can then refine their search by price, type of property, bedrooms, bathrooms, and parking.

The map will automatically update with relevant listings when panned or zoomed to another suburb, and when the search criteria is changed. Clicking on a marker or a small circle will provide more information about the listing, as well as the contact details of the listing agent and a link to their website.

Jason Wills, CIO of Harcourts New Zealand, says, “The internet has become an indispensable tool for New Zealand home buyers and renters, and making current real estate listings available from a popular site like Google Maps is going to be great for home buyers and real estate agents alike.

“Harcourts is committed to using the latest technology tools to create a great experience for buyers and sellers, and we think it's fantastic that homes listed with Harcourts are among the first in New Zealand to be available on Google Maps.”

All over the country, New Zealanders use Google Maps to find addresses and local businesses, see satellite imagery, obtain driving directions, and create and share personalised maps, making it the most popular online maps site in New Zealand according to Comscore (May 2009).

ENDS

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