Comments on: Trulia Incorporates Google Street View

By: Overland Park Real Estate

Overland Park Real Estate — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:30:54 +0000

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.

By: ines

ines — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:34:35 +0000

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.

By: Trulia Using Google Street View to Enhance Real Estate Search

Trulia Using Google Street View to Enhance Real Estate Search — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:37:07 +0000

[...] Jay Thompson (at AgentGenius) reports of others incorporating Street View: Diverse Solutions (for IDX) and [...]

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:21:13 +0000

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.

By: Benn Rosales

Benn Rosales — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:45:14 +0000

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,

By: BawldGuy Talking

BawldGuy Talking — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:36:49 +0000

Thanks Jay — your thoughts are much appreciated.

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:33:15 +0000

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.

By: In the News - Google + Trulia = True View - Trulia

In the News - Google + Trulia = True View - Trulia — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:02:27 +0000

[...] Thompson at Agent Genius says, “In true Trulia fashion, the Street View module is seamlessly [...]

By: Jennifer Wilson - Agent Solutions

Jennifer Wilson - Agent Solutions — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:33:25 +0000

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!

By: BawldGuy Talking

BawldGuy Talking — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:08:12 +0000

What’s your personal take on this, Jay? You’ve forgotten more about this kinda thing then I’ll know by next year.