FAQs about Google Earth for XSites

In the last e-newsletter we introduced you to the new Google Earth feature on your real estate professional XSite website that's been integrated into your listings, giving you a powerful addition to your listing presentation. Since then, many of you have come to us with questions about Google Earth and using the feature on your XSites. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions below:

Do I have to pay for this service?
Absolutely not! While some website providers may charge for Google Earth services, we provide it free to you as another tool to differentiate yourself from competitors and to give your clients a tool that makes the home-buying process more efficient and fun!

How long does it take for a client to see a new listing in Google Earth?
Here at a la mode, we automatically update your listings every four hours, so your clients can simply load Google Earth at any time and see your current listing inventory.

Are these pictures live?
No, according to Google the images displayed were taken by satellites and aircraft sometime in the last two years. The images in Google Earth are updated on a rolling basis.

Google has recently added additional data to its Primary Database which includes over 100 new or updated cities. You can view these on the Google Earth Community here. And you can click on this link to view more information about Google Earth coverage.

Why are some of my listings are blurry?
According to Google, because Google Earth combines data of different resolutions to offer a seamless viewing experience, some locations can look blurry. Google does offer high resolution imagery (greater than 1-meter) for thousands of cities and says that more are on the way soon.

Why is the address I look up inaccurate in Google Earth?
Google employs a technique called "address interpolation" to match up addresses, which Google says is simply, "a fancy way of saying that we take our best guess." Google takes the total number of addresses in a given block and assume an even distribution of the addresses along that block. For example, if there are ten addresses for the 800 block of Main Street, Google assumes that the fifth address is located at the halfway point.

If your addresses are coming up inaccurate, Google suggests entering the nearest intersection of roads into Google Earth's "street address" field along with your city, state and ZIP code. For example, enter "Fifth Street and Main Street."

If you have any more questions about Google Earth for XSites, feel free to e-mail us at info@alamode.com.