-Comment from Allen Benson:

I'm surprised I haven't heard much talk about the new Google Real Estate category they just launched on Thursday.

I know it doesn't show up every where but if you type in "Seattle Real Estate" you will get a new option just above the normal results.

Refine your search for Seattle real estate

With a form below it.

This form posts to a real estate search tool. Check it out.

All the listings post to the suppliers website.

I have looked at a few major cities and this seems to be the case. It is feed from Google Base.

Some things you should know about "Google Base"

1) you can load data into it

2) you can update the data

3) it is only available for 30 days or less if you choose

Here are my questions.

1) How do you think it will impact the traffic to your site?

2) How is Google going to monetize this product?

3) Is this going to be the FSBO MLS system?

4) Are your clients going to expect you to put their listings on there?

5) Could this become the national MLS?

Allen Benson

Graphicaldata Inc.

http://www.graphicaldata.com

253-851-0366

benson@graphicaldata.com

Saul's note:

Hi Allen,

Great to hear from you.

We have been talking about this eventuality in our classes for a few years now...since the Prudential/Yahoo deal.

What might happen if Google has trouble gathering content, is a deal with a brokerage firm (and IDX feed, etc). We think there will in time be alliances between the major portals and brokerage firms that can provide listing content as the industry continues to evolve into the use of technology for the dissemination of listing information (Amazon/e-BAY/Google/MSN, etc.

Watch for developments in peer to peer over the next few years as well.

The 30 day rule serves to keep the inventory current, a function of MLS but one we have said for years now could easily be handled by requiring resubmission to the database on a timeline (such as every thirty days).

You ask great questions...and the lion is coming over the hill and look and listen to all those damn Chihuahuas!

And...could the lion be congress?

<http://www.linuxelectrons.com/article.php/2006032315414432>

For those who think this bill, if enacted, would not affect MLSs.."Bet your Ass." (Please see my post on Betting One's Ass" if offended by this comment.)

Saul