How to use Google addresses in your appraisals!!
Google’s Street View is doing photos all over the world!!
I used to spend a lot of time doing preliminary research on an appraisal by looking up property data on public records. Now, I just google the address!! Google provides a front photo and the search often includes other services such as zillow and trulia that provide public records data.
Someone calls or emails you about an appraisal. Hopefully, you check out the property before you decide whether or not you want to do the appraisal and decide your fee. Just google the address!! You can do it in your car with your smart phone.
Do you ever get back to the office and notice that your comp photo doesn’t match the MLS photo or, more likely, you are not sure you are selecting the correct photo?
You sometimes can also zoom in on google photos to check the address of a property.
Living in a rural area? Keep a lookout for a Google car,motorcyle,bicycle,camel,?? They seem to be everywhere!!! Or, just check out your relatives’-friends’-ex’s-child hood homes. It is endless!!
Click here to see where Google is now, has been, and where it is going?
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/68384?hl=en
BTW now bing and yahoo also has street view
bing street view quality is getting better
Thanks for your comment. I just updated this blog post!!
Keep in mind that “street level” views are not available everywhere, particularly out here in the sticks. But it IS certainly a useful tool.