Using Google Maps Street View to Shop for New Homes

If you've ever want to check out what a neighborhood, house, or street looked like before you got there, you're in luck!  Google Maps allows you to take a look at a location without even traveling to the new location. This is especially handy if you're trying to check out a neighborhood. Of course, you'll still want to visit the area in person before moving, but this great resource lets you know what to expect before you get there— and may tell you whether it's even worth your time to make the trip.

We use this tool occasionally to determine serviceability.  When there's a good street view picture, we can sometimes see if a driveway is too steep or a street too narrow to accommodate a moving truck.

Here's how to use Google Maps:

• Go to http://maps.google.com.
• Type the address you are searching for in the "Search Maps" box.
• After clicking the "Search Maps" button, your address will be labeled with a red pin.
• You can choose between "map" view and "satellite" view in the upper right corner of your map. 
• "Satellite" view allows you to see the actual neighborhood.
• You can zoom in quite a bit with the "+/-" scale on the left hand side of your map.

Google Maps also has a tool called "Street View," which allows you to look around the neighborhood at eye level, rather than from an aerial view.

Here's how to use Google Street View:

• Once in Google Maps, the little yellow man at the top of the "+/-" scale can be dragged to most roads to activate this feature.
• Once you are on the street, you can click on the arrows that will be on the road, in order to navigate around the streets.

Take a look at your new address and see what you think.