Home Buyers Toolbox - Mapping

OK, while searching for homes online, you've discovered a what looks to be your perfect house, but all you get to see is a picture of the front of the home.

This article will show you what each of this 5 handy house hunting tools has to offer (using the same house for comparison)

• Microsoft Live Search Maps
• Google Streets
• Wake County iMaps
• Zillow

The picture above is a typical MLS front of the house Photo (By the way this un-typical 10k sq ft. mini-castle w/mote is currently for sale for a cool 3.5M)

Shown above is just 1 of 4 angles availible. Satellite images from N. S. E. and West are available from Microsoft Live Search Maps. Very handy for checking what the house backs to (i.e. golf course, train tracks, busy street).

Wake County iMaps will let you see the exact lot dimensions with measurements

 

Zillow.com shows satellite images with home value estimates on each roof.

 

Google Streets has coverage for most of suburban Cary and Raleigh. Its usefull for takeing a virtual drive down a neighborhood street.