iProperty.com Malaysia Uses Google Maps Technology to Improve Property-Hunting Experience for Malaysians

“Search by Map” Interface is first in a series of innovative Google Maps API implementations on www.iproperty.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 14 May 2009 – iProperty.com Malaysia (www.iproperty.com.my), Malaysia’s No. 1 property website with the largest online database of properties for sale and rent in the country, and part of Asia’s group of leading property portals iProperty.com Group, announced today that it has implemented the Google Maps API technology on its award-winning website to provide a significant boost to the experience of property hunters who visit the portal. Visitors to the website are now able to view the exact location of properties via Google Maps, a function that greatly enhances the property search experience. Google Maps allows viewers to switch between map view with streets and building outlines to satellite view with the top of houses and buildings shown.

The Google Maps function adds further value to the already information-rich property listings on the iProperty.com Malaysia website. At present, iProperty.com Malaysia’s listings have many features that provide potential buyers and renters with information on the property as well as multiple channels to quickly and easily contact the respective real estate agents. These features include photographs, videos, facts and figures, descriptions, floor plans, loan calculator, agent details, quick enquiry form and an instant messenger function that allows interested buyers to immediately chat with agents, who are online, to find out more.

Property hunters may now search for most of iProperty.com Malaysia’s properties on a single map interface too. The “Search by Map” interface, which visitors can either launch directly or through the property search engine on the website, enables them to look for property on an interface that gives them a much richer experience from what they were previously used to. Viewers may zoom in on a particular property on the online map, view partial or full details of the property, send coordinates to a GPS device and in the near future, view nearby amenities. This

“Search by Map” interface is the first in a series of innovative Google Maps API implementations that will be released on iProperty.com Malaysia.

Chief Executive Officer of the iProperty.com Group Ken Tsurumaru said: “As the country’s leading property portal, iProperty.com Malaysia is constantly looking at ways to enhance the property hunting experience for Malaysians, and arming them with knowledge to make informed decisions. We are extremely delighted to showcase our Google Maps API implementation on our award-winning property website as the first phase of this exciting initiative. The possibilities presented by this Google Maps API technology are extremely exciting and we look forward to working closely with the Google team to develop applications that would further enhance the property hunting experience on our Malaysian website.”

“When people first look into buying a property, they take into consideration many factors including how built-up the surrounding area is as well as its proximity to infrastructure such as LRT and monorail stations, and schools. The Google Maps function helps buyers quickly and
effectively assess a property’s surroundings, which are important considerations in purchasing a property,” said Tsurumaru.

The Google Maps feature will be particularly useful for people seeking Malaysian property remotely, such as foreign investors located overseas and expatriates relocating to the country. Investors can now immediately access properties available in locations of their choice, and study the surroundings and locality before making trips to Malaysia to view these properties. Expatriates looking for accommodation prior to their move to the country can use Google Maps to determine ideal areas to reside in, based on proximity to their new workplace, international schools, train stations, recreational facilities, entertainment outlets and shopping malls.

According to Tsurumaru, the next step is to develop a mapplet that will allow iProperty.com to have its local data and active listings, which are dynamic by nature, on the newly launched Google Maps Malaysia (maps.google.com.my) to reach millions of Internet users in Malaysia and around the world.

“We consider our current implementation the first phase of our Google Maps adventure. Our immediate next step is to fully integrate the Google Maps API with our property search engine to provide a seamless experience where users can switch between search results on a list and search results on a map. On top of that, we may also roll out features like heat maps based on transaction prices and possibly, depending on the readiness of the markets, to create mobile applications using Google’s technologies to benefit our users,” said Tsurumaru.