It looks like the internet goliath, also known as Google, is trying to get a piece of the real estate pie. In the ongoing attempt to add new services and content, Google has created Google Base to add more functionality to user searches.

Google Base will soon be able to provide real estate listings to online visitors. When visitors search for a real estate related keywords, such as "New Hampshire Homes for Sale", they will be prompted to type a location and the results page will then show a Google map with listings in that specific location. More importantly, agents, brokers, and homesellers will be able to list their homes with Google for free.

This seems to be a logical next step for Google as they further develop their mapping technology and online real estate services continues to become a big fat cash cow. Other potential players like Zillow.com and Move.com could very easily lose the little market share they have, right as they seemed to have gained some momentum. Google (if anyone) could potentially, wipe all these 'little' guys off the map.

What could this actually mean? Eventually, all the big players (Google, MSN, Yahoo!) will offer some sort of listing service, creating an internet bloodbath with the other independent players (Zillow, Move.com, Homestore) for market share. Although, the dynamics of selling homes on the internet is changing very rapidly, I think it will take some time (if ever) before a clear winner is established.

Here is a good article talking about the recent news.