Google (in the US of A) have added Google Real Estate Search to their Google Maps application. Now you can search for real estate in America on Google Maps. The data comes from their Google Base application, however it seems they are going to add data from other sources also. You can try it out by going to http://maps.google.com and then adding (left sidebar) Google Real Estate Search under see more maps!

Here are some articles on this subject:
Google Maps is Going To Be My New Real Estate Search Page
Google Maps Adds Real Estate Search
Another Hint at Google Real Estate?

There are certainly interesting times ahead. I have no idea why Google has not released Google Base in Australia, but they should get their act together and release it shortly. It is not as if it would be a hard thing to do (add country, regions, suburbs) and I cannot wait until it does happen.

One of the more interesting concepts coming out of the USA is a web 2.0 project called housingmaps.com

The site is basically a ‘mash-up’ of the Google Maps. A mash up is to to take the data from one or more sources (legally) and combine it with a website to make a rich experience for the user.

These types of tools from companies like Google are forcing companies such as Sensis open up their source code to various developers for free (although developers cost money to develop these applications)

So it will be interesting to see what Sensis does with its mapping system whereis.com.au - my feeling is that they will open it up - at least in part - before Google releases its own local mapping system here later this year or early 2007.

Take a look around www.housingmaps.com and see what is being developed. Many of these sites utilise AJAX code and this will be common place in the coming years.

AJAX basically allows new features to be loaded in the background onto a single page without the page having to be reloaded.