Google announced they will no longer support real estate listings. Hmmm. You just gotta wonder why, right? Well, for one many third party sites were taking Real Estate listings and creating their own home search.
Not that I didn't buy into it either. I took the ‘easy' way out and had a third party Home Search on my website. It wasn't really up to date and I didn't get many leads except for rentals (per company policy I only do not do rentals) so it wasn't really doing me any good.
I finally got off my behind when the announcement came out and went with an IDX site (Internet Data Exchange site) and got it up an running with our Honolulu Board of Realtors® MLS (Multiple Listing Service) site. I inserted the idx link into an iframe on my website and voila!
I have to thank both IDX PRO and my local board (HBR) for working quickly to get me up and running by the second day.
Whew! I learned my lesson that I have to do things the right way all the time for my business. With strict rules within our Honolulu Board of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service we have up to date information on status of all listings submitted into our system. Therefore, so is my Hawaii Home Search
It really is true.
I really do get what I pay for.
Or NOT.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
It is interesting how the internet and google is changing things these guys (Google) are huge giants.
Very true. Free does not equate to a quality product! Hope you get a lot more traffic from the IDX capability.
I'll be looking forward Sally to an update to see how the IDX site works over the long run. Good luck!
Sally,
I like having an easy and robust IDX solution integrated into my site.
And GOOG indexes the listings, so I get traffic via searches for specific addresses. What's not to love?
I'm enjoying the search...now to get to the rest of my website....I'm revamping everything...so far so good . :)
We have always used an IDX on our website, only about $55 a month and well worth it, keeps our leads with us for the most part
Sally, I use the Realbird property search on my wordpress site, am trusting that Realbird is going to fix that. But for my main website I use IDX and it works very well for me. As did the Google search... I am waiting...
That's interesting. I have a Realbird account that uses the Google real estate maps. I wonder what they plan to do.
I've also heard that early this year Google will no longer out unpaid sites on the first few pages for the searcher..... keep on watching!
Linda
Sally short cuts get short term results at best, and are not the way to go for those who plan on being in this business for a while.
Jeanne: I got a good deal paying for a year...came out to a little over $40 a month.
Andrea: I'll stick with the IDX ...and as for RealBird....well, not doing much with it right now...although I paid to August.
Robert...me too.
Linda: Hmmm
George: I second that..:)
Now that is quick work! Congratulations on coming up with the solution. I am sure it will bring you great results.
Sally, I had an IDX site attached to my web site 7 years ago and until recently had much success, and hopefully it will get itself resolved quickly. Having quick and easy access to listings is what keeps a buyer interested and coming back.
Sally,
Your new IDX search page has a great look and feel. I'm sure your clients will enjoy it's ease of use.
Best,
Steve
Sally - you are always on the cutting edge of what is going on in the industry and that is one of the things that makes you a super Realtor!