Okay, so since Google Earth and the Google Maps API came out, I have had some fun playing with obscure uses for interactive maps within RE sites.

Google Earth is a great toy, but (in my experience) completely unsuitable for home searches. PruPref (aka eRealty) tried it around here, and the AJAX was just too slow to be practical. I.e., scroll left... wait... scroll up... wait... etc.

Google Maps is definitely more promising, and the way that the PruPref guys are going now.

Personally, I think it's still a bit clunky for actual searching. Sure, it's nice to see where the listings are in relation to others, etc., but even with a high-speed connection it takes more than a few seconds to load.

So I've been toying with more of the basics, like About Us directions, and enhanced office location maps.

I think there may be place for these technologies in Home Tours (i.e., trip planning) and probably Featured Properties lists, but the heavy reliance on connection speed, client processing power, and the necessity to have scripting enabled makes me reluctant.

What do you folks think?

-MattL

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PMPVOWs.com Lead Programmer, MLSNI IDX/VOW solution provider