›

Idea: Interactive Map of New Construction around Seattle

The_TimThe_Tim
edited October 2007 in Seattle Real Estate
As I was driving up Highway 9 this weekend, I was struck with the sheer volume of roadside signs touting "NEW HOMES!" here and there and everywhere. It got me to thinking... Wouldn't it be fun if there was a site that used Google Maps and had little dot for every single housing development in King and Snohomish counties?

I'm thinking bigger dots for developments with more units, and two colors: one for condos, one for SFHs. Something a lot like this site, but more comprehensive, including pretty much everything but one-offs. Ideally, you could find out information like % sold, price range, etc. by clicking on each dot.

I think that would be an entertaining visual representation of just how much development really is going on around here.

I would love to make something like this to include on Seattle Bubble, but I haven't got a clue where I could find the info about all the dozens of home builders that are going crazy around here right now. Short of driving around and making a list, does anyone have any clue how I could get this kind of information? Would anyone else be interested in that kind of tool/toy?

Comments

  • deejayohdeejayoh
    I've seen a lot of these google mash-ups - including one that plotted craiglist rentals - which I thought was pretty cool!

    maybe you could scrape listings off a site that have a built date of 2007? I was having some fun with that over at zip realty the other day.

    some of the bloggers cover the condo space pretty well, but I haven't seen a thing about the burbs. These guys tend to avoid the MLS-tax if they can.
  • BB
    http://maps.google.com/help/maps/mymaps/create.html

    Something like this with a little descriptive blurb / photo might be cool for tracking purposes (quick and dirty - doesn't require programming)
  • The_TimThe_Tim
    B wrote:
    http://maps.google.com/help/maps/mymaps/create.html

    Something like this with a little descriptive blurb / photo might be cool for tracking purposes (quick and dirty - doesn't require programming)
    Did you watch the video at that link? Did you see this shot near the beginning?

    the_tim_plate.png

    Funny coincidence.

    Anyway yeah, the mapping tools aren't the holdup, it's where to get the info on all the developers that are active in the area to populate the map with.
  • BB
    Just saw that. Pretty funny :)
  • mike2mike2
    The Tim wrote:
    Anyway yeah, the mapping tools aren't the holdup, it's where to get the info on all the developers that are active in the area to populate the map with.

    Like Zillow pulls data from county records, I'd think one would be able to pull the city permits, though I have no idea whether that data is made available in bulk and I'm sure it varies greatly between cities.
  • BB
    Perhaps the wiki/forum community-driven data collection would work. There are a lot of people out there doing a lot of driving/biking. I'm sure any new action would be noticed and posted within days.

    Wish I had more personal project time for ideas like this.
  • brettrobrettro
    I've always been really interested in something like this too. It'd be great to have a map-based system like Redfin with all the new developments and then each development would have a discussion forum like SkyscraperCity where members can discuss and post updates, and pictures of renderings and the construction progress.
  • BB
    Don't forget the exclusive FlipperWatch(TM) feature....
  • explorerexplorer
    Anyone consider looking at the developer trade journals and/or RE marketing trades? You might have to transpose from the print to get the most recent stats and what's where.

    Brick and Mortar Libraries are still relevent for this kind of research. Consult the experts.

    Just a suggestion.
  • brettrobrettro
    brick and what?



    :lol:
  • rose-colored-coolaidrose-colored-coolaid
    brettro wrote:
    brick and what?



    :lol:

    I swear he meant bamboo and granite countertop libraries. That's what they build them out of now right?
  • bilirubenbiliruben
    Glass and pink bubble gum, from what I see.
Sign In or Register to comment.