Uses of GIS Technology in Real Estate

By Tim Williams, Appraiser

Introduction

As president of Single Point Solutions in Eagle, Idaho, appraiser Tim Williams oversees the development and integration of geographic information systems (GIS) for real estate clients. Also president of the Williams Research Group and a managing director for Pushlocal’s western region, appraiser Tim Williams draws on extensive experience in real estate valuation as well as strategic technology sales.

Geographic information systems, or GIS, allows a real estate professional access to data surrounding the location of a particular property.

GIS Technology

It enables a company to import Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data, which presents information on properties recently sold, and analyze that data based on customized parameters. The company can then perform more targeted valuation or develop a data-based sales strategy for a particular client.

Similarly, the spatial analysis features available in a GIS program allows the real estate agent to highlight a property's selling points based on customer interest.

Conclusion

The company can even show the buyer an image of the property as related to shopping centers, schools, or business districts as interest indicates. The GIS system also enables the real estate company to gain key municipal data once only available in person, thus saving time for client-facing functions or supporting a more comprehensive understanding of a land parcel's potential.