[photopress:geek_logo.jpg,thumb,alignright]I would very much appreciate it, and I think agents would buy the software, if someone would write a program to fill this need.
I am setting up a home tour of nine homes for tomorrow. They are spread out from South Bothell to Upper Mill Creek. There will be so much going on in evaluating these homes that I often “mapquest” and print out the directions from one property to the next.
How about one of you setting up a “HomeTour.com” that we can subscribe to for a monthly fee, where we can type in all of the addresses at once and it will spit out the driving directions one to another. Would also come in handy for large offices that do weekly tours of new listings and for agents who are previewing a lot of Broker’s Opens all in a short two hour period. Would save a ton of time.
If someone knows of a program or online service that does this already, I would love to hear about it.
Just throwing it out there as I know many of you are looking for new products in the technology arena that agents would find useful. You may even be able to get HomeTour.com from whoever owns it but doesn’t seem to be using it.
We have a new feature coming out this week for our Ubertor software where an agent can add a “comparables” tab to their listings. Within this tab it will show a Google map with information about the homes that the agent wants to show in comparison to their listing. It is coming out in beta this week and I will have an example site to show later this week.
The reason this matters to this post (potentially) is because we have kicked the idea around of doing something similar with our Open House feature, Google maps and the Google direction system within Google Maps. Depending on how the comparables tab goes the open house with a Google map and directions might be next? Then, doing it for any group of listings (not necessarily open houses) would be relatively easy.
P.S. I have eluded to what we are launching this week. RainCityGuide.com readers are now the first to hear about the new comparables tab. – http://blog.ubertor.com/?p=302
This would be so doable with a Google Maps app. Actually, it would be a cool ad-on to IDX systems, too, to give on-line window shoppers directions to their candidate homes. My kid can do this if he can stir himself to the effort. I’ll bug him about it. You won’t have it from him by tomorrow, though.
If you need something for tomorrow, check out the Beta Mapping Platform from Yahoo. It won’t optimize the routes for you, but at least it lets you enter (and readjust) multiple destinations.
As I mentioned back (way back) in November, Yahoo’s been doing some very interesting things with mapping.
If you need something for tomorrow, check out the Beta Mapping Platform from Yahoo. It won’t optimize the routes for you, but at least it lets you enter (and readjust) multiple destinations.
As I mentioned back (way back) in November, Yahoo’s been doing some very interesting things with mapping.
Have you tried the free mapping function on Locator? After choosing the listings you want to view, click the “Map” tab at the top of the page. It will produce a map of the area, along with a list at the left of the homes you’ve checked. Each home has a corresponding number attached which also references a “thumbtack” on the map. You can expand the map or zoom in for a closer look. This is a great way to plan a tour. Good luck!
MS Streets & Trips does this also.
Hi Ardell, I second Ben’s information about MS Streets & Trips. I export the data out of the MLS system into a Comma Seperated Value file and then import that into Streets & Trips. Pick your starting point and preferred end point and it creats the most efficient order of stops with directions. Add GPS and plug it into your laptop or your phone if you have a Windows Smartphone. Not web based, but is quite handy.
Isn’t this actually the famous “Travelling Salesman Problem”, which has never been solved? Sure you can get driving directions point-to-point if you know in advance the order you want to visit the houses. However, if you want to find the most efficient route to visit all the houses and the order you visit them isn’t as important as efficiency then the problem is actually not easy to solve.
Hi…I’m new here and I have been “lurking” for a few days.
I would also like to throw in a plug for MS Streets & Trips. This should allow you to easily map directions from one home to the next.
Hi…I’m new here and I have been “lurking” for a few days.
I would also like to throw in a plug for MS Streets & Trips. This should allow you to easily map directions from one home to the next.
Well the “efficiency factor” is not really about getting from point A to point B. That is part of the problem.
I need to put the order of the propeties in, and have the program give me point A to point B to point C to point D and so on, without changing the order I have pre-set.
The program can’t rearrange the properties into an efficient driving pattern, as “getting there in an efficient manner” is not priority one.
For example, there is one house in this group that the client thinks is the “favorite”. I need to show that house first (second in this case) so that every other house is then compared to that house. If you don’t show that house early on, the “idea” rather than “reality” of that perceived favorite, affects the mindset and falsely influences the opinion of the homes seen before it.
The program can’t treat its process, getting from point A to point B, as the criteria. It has to follow instructions and not rearrange the order to avoid backtracking. Backtracking is sometimes warranted.
As Dustin said, maps.yahoo.com/beta/ will do what you want. It’s not hugely fast, and it would be sweet if you could just paste in your list of addreses in your order, but it will map your trip in the order you want to make it. I’m enriched by the news, and I never get lost!
Sad to report that I tried that Yahoo answer last night and it couldn’t get from point A to point B. Kept saying it didn’t recognize something and didn’t identify which something it didn’t want.
After several tries I went back to the one I have used for ages…Mapquest Directions, which had no trouble with the exact same addresses.
What I have always done is print out the full map from the mls, as Marlow pointed out, but in a large territory you can see the pins but not the streets. But it least it helps you set the order. Then I have to put each A to B in by erasing A each time and cut and pasting B into A, etc… A very long process.
Gotta run…maybe one of you can write something for a future tour…where’s our resident geo guys Robbie and Galen??
Sad to report that I tried that Yahoo answer last night and it couldn’t get from point A to point B. Kept saying it didn’t recognize something and didn’t identify which something it didn’t want.
After several tries I went back to the one I have used for ages…Mapquest Directions, which had no trouble with the exact same addresses.
What I have always done is print out the full map from the mls, as Marlow pointed out, but in a large territory you can see the pins but not the streets. But it least it helps you set the order. Then I have to put each A to B in by erasing A each time and cut and pasting B into A, etc… A very long process.
Gotta run…maybe one of you can write something for a future tour…where’s our resident geo guys Robbie and Galen??
Ardell,
As Dustin mentioned, Yahoo Maps Beta does support multiple destinations, and I think it’d do the trick in a pinch. (Which Virtual Earth sadly doesn’t support yet).
However, I’d say spend the $30+, and get Microsoft Streets & Trips. It supports GPS receivers and doesn’t require an internet connection (2 features which are very useful if you are lost and don’t have a wireless net connection).
Eric,
I thought “Travelling Salesman Problem” was a problem that couldn’t be solved efficiently. If you can live with the slow O(n!) runtime, it can be solved.
You can easily do it with local.live.com, all the addresses you type are stored (or can be stored) as pushpins. You can get whatever route you want, however, it will not optimize the route for you.
The maps on Ask.com also do this pretty well. You can move an address up or down in your list after entering all the addresses.
You can go to http://www.maps.com and then click on driving directions. The software costs $60 per year and you can give it a “test drive” for a week for $6.95. It allows you to add up to 18 addresses and then maps them all out for you and gives you the directions to each stop, so you don’t have to spend hours in mapquest doing this!
Thanks Becky.
Update:
1) The Beta Mapping Platform from Yahoo didn’t work at all since it refused to recognize the addresses that were subsequently recognized by mapquest.
2) Robert’s suggestion regarding exporting and spreadsheets is not an easy enough solution for my everyday needs IMHO
3) I will try both Microsoft Streets and Trips and the $6.95 test version of maps.com and report my findings.
On another note, I sorely need to break down and upgrade my cell phone. Another further suggestions or comments to Robert’s recommendation of the Microsoft Smart Phone?? I have 3 users on my plan, and will have to switch out everyone’s phone since they are all AT&T vs. Cingular and one of us can’t go to Cingular without the other two trashing their phones as well, which has kept me from upgrading. Maybe a whole different carrier is in order at this point. Recommendations and thoughts appreciated.
Thanks Becky.
Update:
1) The Beta Mapping Platform from Yahoo didn’t work at all since it refused to recognize the addresses that were subsequently recognized by mapquest.
2) Robert’s suggestion regarding exporting and spreadsheets is not an easy enough solution for my everyday needs IMHO
3) I will try both Microsoft Streets and Trips and the $6.95 test version of maps.com and report my findings.
On another note, I sorely need to break down and upgrade my cell phone. Another further suggestions or comments to Robert’s recommendation of the Microsoft Smart Phone?? I have 3 users on my plan, and will have to switch out everyone’s phone since they are all AT&T vs. Cingular and one of us can’t go to Cingular without the other two trashing their phones as well, which has kept me from upgrading. Maybe a whole different carrier is in order at this point. Recommendations and thoughts appreciated.
I think it’s a great idea. We own the name http://www.choicehometour.com. It is something that could easily be done. It would take a little time, but it’s creative.
Dave,
I’ve had some interesting private emails on this post from “Super-Geeks!” who would love to write a program like this to sell to agents around the Country. They are asking me what the top 5 features might be, that the program would need to have, and I ask agents to reply here at this comment thread.
1) Ability to input not less than 6 and not more than 15 addresses. 10 is probably more than sufficient for most purposes. 5 would not be sufficient for most agents
2) If the actual mls system were modified to include this feature, a little thumbnail photo of each would be helpful on the final report.
3) PRIMARY requirement would be that the program NOT have a mind of its own and rearrage the properties in EFFiciency order. It is not always efficient to get there efficiently 🙂 It is efficient to show them in an information building sequence, so the buyer has a good and orderly basis for comparison.
4) The program must give directions (no freeways!) on regular streets from house 1 to house 2 then house 2 to house 3, etc. Buyers need to see the condition of neighborhoods en route, so getting on a freeway is NOT a good idea.
Getting TO the first house doesn’t need to be there at all as there are many resources for that function. It’s getting from and to each houe in the string that is important. Should say:
Make left out of driveway of house 1, continue north on 178th to right on 5th which turns into 172nd then left on 6th to house on right
That may be too hard…but that would be ideal.
For those outside of the Seattle Area, yes…we have LOTS of numbered streets here…way too many, and you can be on 5th and end up on 178th without making a turn. You can also be at the corner of 4th and 4th…odd, but true. Now you know why we need this program 🙂
Dave,
I’ve had some interesting private emails on this post from “Super-Geeks!” who would love to write a program like this to sell to agents around the Country. They are asking me what the top 5 features might be, that the program would need to have, and I ask agents to reply here at this comment thread.
1) Ability to input not less than 6 and not more than 15 addresses. 10 is probably more than sufficient for most purposes. 5 would not be sufficient for most agents
2) If the actual mls system were modified to include this feature, a little thumbnail photo of each would be helpful on the final report.
3) PRIMARY requirement would be that the program NOT have a mind of its own and rearrage the properties in EFFiciency order. It is not always efficient to get there efficiently 🙂 It is efficient to show them in an information building sequence, so the buyer has a good and orderly basis for comparison.
4) The program must give directions (no freeways!) on regular streets from house 1 to house 2 then house 2 to house 3, etc. Buyers need to see the condition of neighborhoods en route, so getting on a freeway is NOT a good idea.
Getting TO the first house doesn’t need to be there at all as there are many resources for that function. It’s getting from and to each houe in the string that is important. Should say:
Make left out of driveway of house 1, continue north on 178th to right on 5th which turns into 172nd then left on 6th to house on right
That may be too hard…but that would be ideal.
For those outside of the Seattle Area, yes…we have LOTS of numbered streets here…way too many, and you can be on 5th and end up on 178th without making a turn. You can also be at the corner of 4th and 4th…odd, but true. Now you know why we need this program 🙂
Ardell,
The link that I mentioned for http://www.maps.com does most of what you stated above. You are able to type in up to 18 (I think) addresses. You have a couple of options. You can type in all the addrsses and it shows a map with all of the addresses and where they are at. It also lets you type in all the addresses and it optimizes the best route and tells you how to get from one to the next to the next to the next and so on. I have used this a few times when showing a lot of properties in areas I am not familiar with and was very happy with it.
The only bad things is it doesn’t show you one large map with the whole route layed out like you want, but I think it works pretty good the way they have it set up.
Nevertheless, it has saved me hours of trying to figure out which house to start at and then which one to go to next in areas I am not familiar with. It used to take me a few hours doing this in Mapquest. When I tried Maps.com…..it took me less than 30 minutes to map out 15 properties and print out all the directions.
Ardell,
The link that I mentioned for http://www.maps.com does most of what you stated above. You are able to type in up to 18 (I think) addresses. You have a couple of options. You can type in all the addrsses and it shows a map with all of the addresses and where they are at. It also lets you type in all the addresses and it optimizes the best route and tells you how to get from one to the next to the next to the next and so on. I have used this a few times when showing a lot of properties in areas I am not familiar with and was very happy with it.
The only bad things is it doesn’t show you one large map with the whole route layed out like you want, but I think it works pretty good the way they have it set up.
Nevertheless, it has saved me hours of trying to figure out which house to start at and then which one to go to next in areas I am not familiar with. It used to take me a few hours doing this in Mapquest. When I tried Maps.com…..it took me less than 30 minutes to map out 15 properties and print out all the directions.
Becky,
You lose me at “the program optimizes the BEST ROUTE. The program cannot have a mind of it’s own as BEST ROUTE is not about driving efficiency.
The Agent must determine BEST ROUTE and the program must follow the order of homes as given. I may be ordering 10 homes, from best to worst. Often the buyer stops me at 6 and says I want to buy number 2, once they realize they are down to the houses that decrease in desirability. They may not want to see the worst 4.
If the program re-orders my sequence, it wastes the buyer’s time.
Likewise, I may be showing in worst first order to explain why I recommend house #6. By seeing property in an increasingly desirable fashion, the buyer quickly sees why I am recommending house #6 without having to “take my work for it”.
Order of showings is sometimes, not always, very important. So any program that thinks “driving efficiency” is a pre-requisite is not useful to me.
I am not in the business of driving to and from houses in random order. But a taxi drive might like it! 🙂
Ok, I get what you are saying now (I think)…….
You are right, the software doesn’t know which house is “better” than the next house, but it does tell you the “best route” depending on the LOCATION of the home and how to get to the next LOCATION of the next CLOSEST home. That’s what it’s meant for.
I’m not sure if this particular software allows you to rearrange the order to fit how you need it to. You would prob have to have some sort of software that allowed you to rate the “condition” of the home some sort of way and then still allow you to map it out that way from worst to best or vise versa depending on how you rated the condidtion of the home…..Someone out there I’m sure could figure out how to do that!
Becky,
You crack me up! I just don’t want it to CHANGE the order that I give it. When the program determines and CHANGES the order, rather than simply following the houses in the order I input them, it is not useful.
Ok…I guess I misunderstood what you were asking from the get-go then…..sometimes I feel like I can get lost in a card board box!
Can someone get me a map, so I can get out of here? 🙂
Pingback: Seattle’s Rain City Real Estate Guide » Have a nice weekend!