My Listing Is Not Appearing At The Correct Map Location On Websites

A website is not displaying my listing in the correct location on their map. What is causing this and what can I do to fix it?

Why Listings Appear In The Wrong Map Location

When we list a property on the MLS, we tell the MLS the exact coordinates (latitude, longitude) of the property. For example: 33.356216, -116.864849

When websites such as Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, etc. pull the property information from the MLS, they often do not pull the coordinates that we provided the MLS. Instead, the websites use a mapping service API (such as Google Maps API), to get the coordinates of the property based on the address.

For example, a website will send a mapping service API the address:

• 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500

The mapping service API will return, among other things, the coordinates:

• 38.879177, -76.981812

The coordinates are then plotted onto a map and that is the location that the pin for the property appears. This works fine for established addresses, such as 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, however some properties (for example, vacant land) do not have an established address.

When the websites try to get the coordinates of an address that does not exist, such as 0 Pennsylvania Ave, the coordinates that the mapping service sends back can be unpredictable. This will cause the website to display a pin at the unpredictable coordinates provided by the mapping service API.

What Can Be Done to Fix This?

There are a couple options. 

1. We can modify the address on the MLS. This can work well if the property is next to another property that does have an established address. For example, if the property you have listed does not have an established address, but the neighbor's established address is 425 Elm St, you could try using the address 423 Elm St (or 427 Elm St, depending on where the property is relative to your neighbor). You can often test this on google maps to see if they come up with the correct location. Note: Do not use a neighbors established address as your own, as the MLS will fine for this and it will cause confusion on websites. 

If you choose this option, also be sure to update your property address on homecoin.com so buyers can reach you through the website. See the following article for how to do that: https://support.homecoin.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500007910661  

2. If it is only one or two websites showing the incorrect location, you can contact the website directly and ask them to update the coordinates to the correct location. See the following article for contact info of popular websites: https://support.homecoin.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021201234 See the following help article for how to find your property's coordinates: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/18539?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=0