Free Data Sources for Your Real Estate Web Site
November 14, 2008
By: Drew Meyers
Author's Website: http://youreachmedia.com
I think most of you will agree with me that data is a critical piece of building a fantastic consumer destination — not only in the real estate vertical, but other verticals as well. In the real estate space, buyers, sellers, and home owners are interested in local home values, crime statistics, weather, amenities, and school information (among other things). But where do you find all this data? There are a wide range of free data sources out there that can help you fill your real estate web site with valuable content. Here’s a rundown of a few of the data sets I’m aware of:
Demographic Data:
- 2000 Census data – The 2000 Census dataset is available for download from the US Census Bureau. Here is the ftp download server.
Local Amenities:
- Yelp Review Search API – You can retrieve local business information and reviews using a neighborhood or lat/long value as an input. It’s also possible to narrow the results by category of business.
Neighborhood and City Home Values:
- Zillow Local Real Estate APIs – You can retrieve local home value trend charts with the GetRegionChart API and a wealth of other city and neighborhood home value data from the GetDemographics API.
- AltosCharts – Local market price charts.
Neighborhood Geographies:
- Zillow Neighborhood Boundaries – 150 cities covering 7,000 neighborhoods available via a Creative Commons license.
- Yelp Neighborhood API – Input a lat/long value and get a neighborhood in return.
- Zillow GetRegionChildren API – Input a city and state, and receive a list of neighborhoods and their center points in return.
School Information:
- Education.com Schoolfinder API – For an overview of the available data, take a look at my Geek Estate post back in September when Education.com released their API.
- NCES Common Core of Data – Data about all public elementary and secondary schools, all local education agencies, and all state education agencies throughout the United States — descriptive information on schools and school districts; data on students and staff; and fiscal data.
Weather:
- Yahoo Weather API – enter a ZIP or a geo location and receive current weather conditions in return.
- WeatherBug API – Live weather conditions by location.
I know there are other free data resources that I’m missing (I couldn’t find a free source for crime statistics) — if you aware of any additional sources that would be useful for a real estate audience, please leave a comment describing the data and where to find it. Are there any data sets you wish were freely available, but haven’t been able to get your hands on?
- Stumble it!
- Categories: Websites
Enjoy this post? Subscribe to the Geek Estate Blog feed or get updates via e-mail
Comments
View Comments
Seth Siegler on November 14, 2008 12:40 pm
Awesome list! I just finished scouring the web for sources like this and I’m glad to see that I found all the right locations.
The only thing I’m still looking for is recent demographic information that isn’t based on the 2000 census. For cities that have experienced serious growth, those numbers can be really inaccurate and not good for business.
Anyone have any ideas?
Kent Shaffer on November 14, 2008 9:24 pm
ZipSkinny allows users to research individual zip codes. Once a zip code has been searched, the navigation offers users the option to “Build a Widget for (zip code)” for free. I have not had a chance to use it, but it looks interesting.
See: http://www.zipskinny.com
@Drew Meyers
They are only reference (not API) but for crime stats, I like using MelissaData.com.
See: http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/crimecity.asp
@Seth
For free estimates on community demographics (2000-2007), use the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey.
See: http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_submenuId=&_lang=en&_ts=
I hope that helps.
- Kent Shaffer, Co-Founder, http://www.AcreScout.com
Hawaii Realtor on November 16, 2008 5:02 pm
Hey Drew,
Great list! These are really helpful for the agent that wants to give a lot of added value to their users. Thanks for sharing
!!!!!
Nick Bostic | Lots of Real Estate Pointers… on November 17, 2008 6:25 pm
[...] Free Data Sources for Your Real Estate Web Site For those of you in the real estate arena who are breaking out of the mold of canned web sites and want some quick, easy and free data to integrate with your new sites, here are some great resources. As a consumer and an internet marketing pro, I caution you to NOT completely clutter your site with every single one of these, but instead pick and choose the ones you find most important. [...]
Downtown Vancouver Realtor on November 18, 2008 11:24 pm
Great list! Do any of these apply to Canada or have a Canadian version?
More Cool Data for Your Web Site - Walk Scores | GeekEstate Blog on November 19, 2008 2:53 pm
[...] Downtown Vancouver Realtor: Great list! Do any of these apply to Canada or have a Canadi… [...]
Zip Codes on March 24, 2009 6:18 am
Great post. This is very useful. Getting the right data can help a lot. Thanks for sharing the information. Cheers mate !
Outsourcing Software Company on May 28, 2009 6:31 am
Great news. One of my friends was looking for something like this. I think he might be able to use this for his site on real estate. Thanks for sharing the information.
Is Your Agent or Broker Website “Social” and/or Personalized? | GeekEstate Blog - Real Estate Technology News and Analysis for Real Estate Professionals on June 5, 2009 7:54 am
[...] the point of this post. The point is that there are a ton of free APIs, both non real estate and real estate specific, for developers to use in order to build out comprehensive, interactive, and social real estate [...]
Lovelinks on June 24, 2009 7:52 am
I’m doing my last year project of my degree. I was looking for a data source and I’m so glad that I came across this post. Thanks you for sharing this useful information.
PowerEssence on August 11, 2009 5:48 am
I certainly do agree with you that THIS data is a critical piece business hardware! Looking for this kind of information can be a nightmare so you have done a fantastic job to compile such a useful list, I'll be bookmarking it for future reference! Thank you again!
valencia apartments
giminicologu on November 25, 2009 8:52 am
real estate investments have suffered a great downfall with the economic crisis, but still in some countries , people still have enough cash to invest , because lets face it now is the time to buy, when prices are low.. for a long term investment
itjobs5 on December 2, 2009 6:35 am
This is very useful post to all.
For more jobs visit http://www.staffingpower.com
Consumers are Looking for More than Listings, they are Looking for a Place to Live. Does Your Website Help them Accomplish that Goal? | GeekEstate Blog on December 31, 2009 12:54 pm
[...] real estate data sources are you using to fulfill the consumer appetite for information? | [...]
ridwanzero on January 7, 2010 6:24 am
Influence can be defined as the power exerted over the minds and behavior of others. A power that can affect, persuade and cause changes to someone or something. In order to influence people, you first need to discover what is already influencing them. What makes them tick? What do they care about? We need some leverage to work with when we’re trying to change how people think and behave.
http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com
GallagherEli on May 8, 2010 12:06 am
I enjoy spending time at the mall, shopping or seeing a movie. Dubai mall sounds like a whole lot more. It's like a tourist destination, a place where you can be fascinated and entertained. Malls are great fun except for those really crowded times of the year. If I don't have any for my camera near Christmas time, I'll order them online.
Noel on May 13, 2010 7:05 pm
I only wish we had this kind of data available in New Zealand. It would be very useful.
Nicaragua Real Estate on May 19, 2010 9:39 pm
You are giving the valid information and very good source for real estate marketers. Thanks and Regards
Nicaragua Real Estate on May 20, 2010 4:39 am
You are giving the valid information and very good source for real estate marketers. Thanks and Regards
Lots of Real Estate Pointers… on May 23, 2010 1:07 pm
[...] Free Data Sources for Your Real Estate Web Site For those of you in the real estate arena who are breaking out of the mold of canned web sites and want some quick, easy and free data to integrate with your new sites, here are some great resources. As a consumer and an internet marketing pro, I caution you to NOT completely clutter your site with every single one of these, but instead pick and choose the ones you find most important. [...]