Google launched their Australian real estate search in July last year, and today they announced that in less than a year they have linked with over 1000 real estate sites across Australia and New Zealand.
Fully integrated with Google Maps, the real estate search brings up rental or sales listings, and can also handle multi-layered searches for not only property, but surrounding places of interest such as restaurants and schools, and can also give real-time views of traffic. With transit options and distances for commuters, Google’s real estate search can save a busy worker from having to spend their weekends scouting out a potential buying or renting location for the local amenities they require.
Google also announced a marketing campaign, in partnership with LJ Hooker, to encourage more Australians to head online to begin their real estate search. Heather Hilton, LJ Hooker’s marketing manager said, “Over 35 percent of people first see their new property on the internet, compared to 10 years ago when it was only 0.5 percent.” Their collaboration has resulted in clips on YouTube illustrating how the Google search functions work, and Google Maps’ pins placed in 16 locations around Sydney—including shopping centres, cinemas, Manly Wharf and Bondi Beach.
