Since the RealShout Wordpress Real Estate Plugin pulls listing data from the Google Base API, it will unfortunately be affected by this change. At this time we have no choice but to retire our plugin. We will remain open to the possibility of using other data providers to see if we can affordability and effectively rebuild the plugin using another data source, however, at this time we have no immediate plans to do so.

It was a great experience developing the RealShout plugin and providing the real estate community with an alternate way to offer a listing search on their local sites. We learned a lot along the way and the feedback we received was amazing.  We are sad to see it go but are hopeful we can build something new and better in the future.

RealShout Real Estate Plugin

The RealShout Real Estate Wordpress plugin has been installed on many Real Estate Agent sites. Now, with over 2000 downloads, we have released version 3.0.  Thanks to all the great feedback, we’ve added a few things and fixed a few others. Following is a list of changes:

The new version is compatible with Wordpress version 3.0.1 but not WPMU and multi-sites.

Installation now automatically creates the type, property type and distance lists. This means less data entry and setup time.

We have added a style sheet option that allows for editing css styles for listing display output. This gives designers and site owners more control over the appearance of their search results pages.

Improved database performance for faster loading pages.

Fixed some minor IE display bugs.

Fixed issue with plugin conflicting with rss feed.

There are many other improvements, so be sure to check them all out and upgrade your free plugin today!

>Download the Plugin Now

We are opening this post up to allow people to post comments about bugs they find in the plugin or new features they would like to see.  Please understand though that we can’t devote time answering questions or providing support on the free plugin because that is a cost to us.  If you need support setting up the plugin, we offer a paid option that includes support.

If you have a bug to report or feature requests for the plugin, please post it in a comment.

January 5, 2010 — With WordPress being the choice for many real estate bloggers, RealShout has unveiled a new plugin for the publishing platform that will enable real estate professionals to have searchable local listings on their blog or website.

Real Estate Wordpress Plugin

Up until now, real estate professionals had to purchase expensive IDX solutions in order to display neighboring listings to their visitors

The free searchable listing Real Estate Wordpress plugin can be installed on any WordPress template and functional the same day. Pulling data from the Google Base API, the plugin provides ample data to populate any real estate site. Customization capabilities include colors, location (cities), distance, bedrooms, bath, and price. The plugin enables listings to display in a list with thumbnail pictures, which can be clicked on to view more details, photos, a Google Map, and more.

Setting it apart from many IDX services, the RealShout plugin does not place listings in an iframe, thus allowing them to be indexed by search engines.

“Up until now, real estate professionals had to purchase expensive IDX solutions in order to display neighboring listings to their visitors,” says Misty Lackie, CEO of Go Smart Solutions, LLC, the parent company of RealShout. “We’re offering this plugin for free to allow agents and brokers to have searchable listings on their site without spending hundreds of dollars.”

The plugin is offered for free on the RealShout website or the WordPress Plugin Directory, and is compatible with most WordPress templates.

RealShout.com is a real estate marketing company that guarantees leads for agents, real estate brokers, and mortgage brokers. The company also offers marketing services to MLS’s nationwide.

RealShout is the creation of Go Smart Solutions, LLC, a company that has been providing advertising solutions for professionals and small businesses since 2002. RealShout provides lead generating online real estate advertising for agents and brokers in the industry

Listing Syndication

From the first moment your customers ask you about selling their home the time becomes critical, and the value of a listing syndication like what RealShout offers becomes your best business partner. Information technology is driving customers to search for the home they want directly from the internet. In fact, it is not surprising that more than 85% of homebuyers use the internet to search for the property that best meets their essential requirements. Therefore, the value of a listing syndication is critical to the financial and reputable growth of your company. For real estate brokers, multiple listing services, and mortgage brokers using a listing syndication service like RealShout is essential to bring in guaranteed leads with potential homebuyers that are already pre-qualified to receive a loan.

What are the benefits of a listing syndication service like Real Shout? With Real Shout you are able to leverage the power of search engines, social networks, video branding, multiple directories and other search portals all over the internet. Real Shout provides your business with an expert look via a geo-targeted Real Shout website that allows your customers to search through multiple properties you represent. Moreover through Real Shout your listings are also sent to over 60 real estate directories, social networks and video portals driving traffic back to your website and clients listings. Reports, activities, and ROI tracking is automatic with the Real Shout listing syndication service.

You no longer have to waste valuable business time chasing down a trickle of prospective homebuyers for just one property. With the built in benefits and value of a Real Shout real estate syndication, qualified customer acquisition is on autopilot. There is no doubt that you can meet your seller’s needs much faster when syndicating your listings. Moreover, with faster guaranteed customer acquisition, RealShout is the business partner you must hire. Don’t let the competition pass you by, call Real Shout today to get started.

Alternative To IDX Websites Search

Real Estate IDX services are used by many brokers but the service is costly and has significant disadvantages. RealShout has developed an excellent software alternative to IDX services that delivers similar benefits at a more affordable rate.

One of the main disadvantages of many IDX (Internet Data Exchange) solutions is the high cost of the service.  Real estate IDX services are designed to provide brokers with reciprocal links to each other’s websites to facilitate sales among the participants. If a consumer cannot find what they are looking for on one broker’s website they can search through the exchange for other homes or properties.

Problems with many Real Estate IDX Services
In addition to the high cost, IDX real estate web sites suffer from other major disadvantages.  For example, because many of these websites use iframes as a part of their web design, they are not optimized for search engine rankings.  The large search engine algorithms tend to overlook information contained in the iframe format.  Since the vast majority of internet users use search engines to find products and services over the World Wide Web, web pages containing iframes will hinder sales and leads.

Users of IDX web sites are also hindered by the fact that they cannot alter the look, feel and functions of their web pages.  May times the IDX web pages cannot be customized for individual broker requirements.  Such inflexibility lessens the ability of brokers to establish their brand and to offer unique services.

The RealShout solution
You may be surprised to learn that you can get all the capabilities of real estate IDX services without the associated costs.  RealShout is a software platform developed by Go Smart Solutions, a Better Business Bureau accredited marketing software company. The Shout software is designed to give brokers maximum flexibility in customizing their web pages and managing content. The platform allows for easy administration of listings and management of users who have opted into email lists.

RealShout web pages are designed to be search engine friendly without displaying content in counterproductive iframes.

Why spend more when you can have a website that functions like a real estate IDX service but at a lower cost, and which provides better results on search engines and increased flexibility in presentation?  Furthermore, RealShout guarantees customer satisfaction in its software product.

Learn more about the RealShout Alternative to IDX Solutions >>