About a month ago I came across a video on Google talking about yet another new product they are working on. I was curious and decided to take a look… It was a HOUR LONG, but I actually watched the whole thing because Google Wave is just that cool. (click here if you want to see the video)

The basic premise is: “What would email look like if it were invented today, instead of 50 years ago?”

Wow.  Think about that – how different was technology 50 years ago compared to today?

If you already have Wave, add me as a contact at kathleenseide at googlewave.com

For Real Estate…

I’m excited about using Google Wave to manage transactions in the future!

For home buyers:
We can collaborate with Google maps and manage your viewing list together rather than loosing information in multiple emails.  We can keep track of your ratings for properties in once place, where we can both see it and comment easily.  We can share documents and update each other on the progress of the contract time line.

For sellers:
We can share information about the marketing plan for your property, add updates to how each piece is performing, and see your comments about it all.  We can share and talk about feedback, and what might be keeping people from making an offer on your property. Showings, open house traffic, home sales updates, all in one place where we can both comment and update.

For other members of the transaction:
(like lenders, home inspectors, and real estate agents) we can share documents, update each other on the progress of contract requirements, and keep track of everything that would have gone into email in one place so that nothing is lost.

And that is just for starters… as programmers make new widgets the possibilities will continue to grow.

Anticipation

Google Wave is not open to everyone yet, you can’t just wander over to their website and get an account.

Before I could start playing with the next free toy from Google I had to get invited… The easiest way is to be invited by a friend. When anyone gets an account Google gives them 8 invitations to hand out.

What is Wave?

The interface looks a lot like email.

A Wave includes you and contributors/participants you added to it.  They can add, edit, and delete the contents together at the same time, or separately at completely different times.  They can also add other users, but I can’t see a way to remove people once they are added.

Google says
“A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.

A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.

A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.”

Think of the basic use of Wave as similar to having a Word document that everyone can share access to and update.

Some basic text-only uses for Wave include: Taking meeting notes as a group, Brainstorming, and Organizing Events.

Except you can replay the entire history of each change to the Wave.

Powerful – yes.  No step along the way is lost.  But no mis-step is truely lost either.  Similar to a true conversation.

Add-Ons

Google has given developers tools to build widgets and add-ons to wave, similar to what we have seen as add-ons to Google Maps.

You can include interactive maps, videos, conference calls, and games so far… but people have only just started programming for Wave and I’m excited to see unexpected and exciting developments.

For Real Estate Today?

The core of what I do is communicate and share my expertise, and that is what Wave is for, but it will be a while before Google Wave is a part of my business routine.

Once Wave is completely public it will take a while for people to start using it, and just like there are people who don’t use email today there will be lots of people who don’t use Wave.  That’s OK, I still have a phone and an office ; )

For now I’m just using it to manage projects inside my office.  I’m learning more about using wave, different ways to use it, and watching new widgets be introduced.

A big focus for right now is learning about the security features (like how secure your confidential data is).  Until I am comfortable with security and understand who has access to your data I won’t be using Wave for any customer information.

Want to Join the Party?

I have 6 invites left to hand out – If you want one just ask in the comments below.

If you prefer to ask Google directly here is a link to request an invitation from them.

If you want to keep up with Google’s Wave Blog here is a link.

If you already have Wave, add me as a contact at kathleenseide at googlewave.com