Prominent real estate firms send listings to Google

Two prominent real estate brokerage companies this week announced content partnerships with Google to provide property listings and agent information to the search-engine company.

Columbus, Ohio-based Real Living, with nearly 4,000 agents in 12 states, and Prudential California/Nevada/Texas Realty, which has about 5,000 agents in 139 offices, will make property listings available to Google Base, a free online classified listings service that will also be searchable via the main Google search site.

"The content partnership with Google will grant home sellers increased visibility for their property listings, as the partnership allows home buyers greater access to search for properties with specific attributes including details on bedrooms, baths, lot size and address," according to Prudential California's announcement.

Sherry Chris, COO of Prudential California/Nevada/Texas Realty, said in a statement, "As consumers increasingly look online in their search for homes, our agreement with Google is part of an effort to provide the widest possible access to its property listings."

Property listings will provide contact information for local Prudential agents.

Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, COO of Real Living, said, "Our goals include providing maximum exposure for our clients' listings and giving consumers convenient access to data. We accomplish both of these goals and much more by providing our content to Google Base."

Real Living also announced the addition of Google mapping tools to its Web site. "The upgraded maps allow consumers to scroll, zoom in and out, pinpoint a specific address or area and filter property results," Sturdivant Rouda said.

"Industry research shows that more than 80 percent of buyers start their search online -- a number that will continue to grow -- so we're always looking for ways to make information available to consumers online," Sturdivant Rouda said.

Real Living's listings can also be found on Oodle.com, Propsmart.com, Trulia.com and RealLiving.com.

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