Real Estate Online Mapping Provider RealBird Releases Map -- based Search Tool for Real Estate Agent and Broker Websites

Map-based search seen as powerful marketing tool for agents and brokers

Redwood City, CA (PRWEB) June 10, 2005 -- RealBird, Inc., a leading provider of online maps and GIS tools tailored for the real estate industry announced today the release of its novel map-based search tool for agents and brokers. The first customer to use this service is the F.C. Tucker Company, Inc. based in Indianapolis, IN (http://www.talktotucker.com)

RealBirds service includes street, aerial and topographical maps, branded driving directions and various visualized data layers, with interactive hotspots that can be linked to photos, websites or virtual tours leading to a superior home buying experience. The new search tool couples the traditional, form-based search with the ability to browse listings on a street or aerial map.

Map-based search is the future of online real estate search. It is much more intuitive and productive than searching only with menus" says Gabriel Gross, President and co-founder of RealBird. A map lets a homebuyer see all the homes for sale in relation to each other, in relation to streets, landmarks, shopping centers, etc. Analogous to the saying One picture is worth a thousand words -- here we could say, One map is worth a thousand mouse clicks". Given this technologys potential to attract clients and generate leads, I predict that in less than a year there will be no serious real estate website without a map search interface."

Matt Dameron, Project Development Manager for Creative Edge Inc. based in Jackson, MO (http://www.creativeedge.tv) remarked: Home buyers are more attracted to sites that show listings with enhancements such as interactive aerial mapping. This technology allows the buyer to visualize the location of the home, as well as be taken on an automated pictorial tour of the listing. Through this innovative multi-media marketing tool, real estate professionals can now offer clients another benefit when listing their properties."

RealBirds map search is low-cost, priced on a flat fee basis, starting at $150/mo for small brokerages and up to $900/mo for large companies. Integration with IDX databases or MLSs is straightforward and there is no need for downloading or synchronization of listings data. Heterogeneous databases can also be integrated using the same API (application programming interface). Furthermore, the API allows on-the-fly customization and branding of the maps and hotspots. RealBird is now in process of recruiting channel partners, such as IDX service providers to resell this service.

About RealBird

RealBird Inc. (http://www.realbird.com) is privately owned, headquartered in Redwood City, CA. The company provides a unique, hosted mapping and GIS solution to the real estate industry. Vast amounts of location related data are available in databases scattered throughout private and public governmental agencies, but homebuyers need to expend a lot of effort to search for and then interpret and understand the information that relates to a particular property that they might consider purchasing. By displaying various types of maps with real estate relevant, pictorial data layers, the RealBird service becomes a valuable complement to any real estate website and helps ultimately homebuyers make better informed decisions.

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