The following blog appeared earlier today on Property Week.

I thought that I would repeat it here.

As predicted on this blog in April, Google has today launched its Real Estate search facility on Google Maps in the UK.

By visiting Google Maps and by ticking the "Properties" option on the "More" tab - visitors will see a rash of spots appearing on the map before them. These are all properties that are available to buy or rent.

By clicking on an individual property users can find out further information regarding its availability. The power of Google's mapping is such that searches can be limited by post code and, if their vans have driven past, images of the property will be viewable instantly on Google Street View. Whilst mainly residential - there are a few commercial properties appearing too.

This is a milestone for the property market in the UK as anyone can add details of properties directly, for free, onto the world's favourite search engine and it will transform the way in which homes and commercial properties are advertised. This move by Google will challenge the established players in the property portal business and will bring new opportunities to agents, landlords and occupiers.

By offering this service for free the business models of many established property businesses will need to be re-examined as Google has just changed the dynamics of the property market in the UK.