Last month I came across a post on ActiveRain by a developer using the Cyberhomes Application Programming Interface (API). His name is Murali Vasudevan, and I thought he did a great job implementing our API. It got me thinking of how many real estate agents would love the functionality he created on their website or blog. So I reached out to Murali last week and asked him a few questions, including how an agent can get his custom work on their site. See our interview below.

1. What first made you want to build off the Cyberhomes API?
   I look for opportunities to enhance customer experience by solving real life issues using tools available for free! In the past I have integrated APIs from Amazon and Google which can be seen at http://www.elixiraddons.com. Recently came across your web service API from an article on realtor web site www.realtor.com. After reviewing it I thought that it could be used for realtor sites to provide useful information for the visitors helping to increase the traffic to these sites. First I created an addon http://www.elixiraddons.com/cyber to show comparable sales for any property within the continental US. I enhanced this by showing the properties on Google Maps.
2. How does the Cyberhomes API compare to other API’s you’ve implemented?
   Cyberhomes API is on the top of the list based on my experience. Especially I like the fact that you provide the distance of comparable properties from the primary property in your response. The latitude longitude info also looks more reliable which is essential to show the properties on Google Map.
3. Recently one of your add-ons was enhanced with a property tax appeal feature.  What’s your goals here?
   Glad you asked this. Recently I read an article in our local news paper (www.latimes.com) about the scam artists trying to exploit the home owners who have already hit hard by the current financial turmoil. These agencies seem to be charging the homeowners hefty amounts to appeal their property taxes with the county assessor. I thought that Cyberhomes API has all the details required by the appeal process and have come up with this tool (http://www.elixiraddons.com/cyber)  to generate the form ready to be printed and mailed to the assessor. I thought this will be a timely help for lot of the hard hit homeowners in California. Initial feedback is very encouraging so far. So far I have automated the appeal process for Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Orange county. Will be adding more to this list soon. Read the full story