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Not sure if this has been posted before but I have found the Google satellite images to be a great tool in house hunting. You can get a decent idea of the area around a home you are looking at on line by retreiving the satellite image and surveying the surrounding area. Minimally you are able to see how many other homes are in the vicinity. You can also get a better idea of distance to schools and conveniences like gas stations, food stores and the like.
For those of us who have not yet been able to make the trip to the Raleigh area yet for a visit it may be helpful.
You are correct! Google is a great resource when researching an area from out of town. Have you seen the new feature they are working on where you can literally walk down a street? So far, I think it is only in San Fran, somewhere in CO, Miami and somewhere in the NE. Pretty interesting!
alot of developers use google's satellite map features for developments
its also pretty useful to look at areas that are fenced and not easily viewable from the
street to get a general idea of what actually is on the property
I think the only downside is that some of the houses built within the last 5 years cannot be seen in the photos on Google Maps. Does anyone know if Google Earth is better about this?
I think the only downside is that some of the houses built within the last 5 years cannot be seen in the photos on Google Maps. Does anyone know if Google Earth is better about this?
I'm not sure if the original poster was referring to Google Maps, or Google Earth. They both use the same satellite maps, but Google Earth does have some cool features that Google Maps does not.
It allows you to define points of interest on the map and mark them with "push-pins". These points of interest stay there for the next time you open Google Earth. I used these to mark the location of my office, subdivisions that we had visited or were interested in, etc.
It also allows you to selectively show zip codes, parks, schools, roads, railroad tracks, airports, etc.
My favorite feature is the "fly to" simulation. Pick a source and a destination and Google will fly you through the map as if you were in a low flying plane.
I wasn't even aware Google had two different satellite products. I was using Google Maps and then clicking on satellite.
Thanks for all the replies - seems it can do a lot more than I thought.
Are the satellite images live? If not - how often are they updated?
I'll have to play around with it some more.
Are the satellite images live? If not - how often are they updated?
The are definitely not live feeds. How old varies depending on the location. I don't know if all the Triangle photos are the same age, but for my house, I would say they are almost 5.5 years old - it is still being built in the photo and I bought it new just over 5 years ago.
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Google rocks
