Google has been synonymous with everything from great search, to amazing free email, to maps, etc…but one of their relatively new features (for Minnesota at least) is Google Street View. Google Street View is built right into their Google Maps feature. The implications of this tool for your home search are enormous. Google Street View allows you to type in an address, location, or point of interest and then take a virtual walk through the neighborhood.
For example, if you were interested in our listing on 1511 W 33rd Street in Minneapolis and wanted to see how far your actual walk to Lake Calhoun would be, you could go to www.google.com/maps, type in the address and click search. You’ll notice 5 options in your upper-right hand corner. The one farthest to the left is “Street View”. If you click on it, it will highlight all the streets that Street View is available for in a light blue color. You’ll also see a little yellow person pop up. If you click on that yellow person, it brings up a small window with a picture of the approximate address location (some of the pictures are more recent than others). Now, using your arrow keys or your mouse, you can walk up and down the street, turn right or left, and zoom in and out. If you head West from our current location, you’ll take a nice 2 block stroll to Lake Calhoun.
Minnesota is not completely covered yet by the Street View team, but the majority of the Twin Cities has ample coverage. So now, not only can you search for your future home online, but you can also take a stroll around the neighborhood…all while in the comfort of your current abode (and in your pajamas if you’d like)!
Here are some other resources and fun stuff for Google Street View:
Google’s Own Street View Tutorial
Some Fun Pictures That Were Taken While Creating Street View - gtstreetsightings.com
