Best "Online" maps ?

[Tom Foster]

Hi,

I'm looking fo the best "online" maps for driving around and shooting comps.

I'm trying out Google maps, Yahoo maps, MapQuest maps, NDC maps, Rand McNally.



So far Google is the best for me.

What is you favorite "online" map ??

 

[David Beasley]

I usually will bring up Google maps myself if I get a new property in a new subdivision that I need to verify the location of - even if the satellite images still show woods, I can at least get my bearings between Google and my local GIS maps.

As for using maps to plot out routes for each day, that's something I've never done. I know my counties like the back of my hand and generally do a good job laying my work out across them in a decent non-repetitive order just from stored knowledge. I've joked for over a decade now that if the appraisal thing doesn't work out that I can always deliver pizzas or drive a cab...I certainly wouldn't need a nav system.

But again, I use Google maps more than anything - Yahoo, MapQuest, Bing, etc have never really shown me anything superior to Google's product. And I was a Google maps user before I got a Droid phone with all of its built-in Google map functions/navigation. Streetview can also be handy sometimes if the home is a FSBO - it helps clue you in to the house type so you might be able to take comps with you on the appointment. (Since tax cards can often be confused about what is and is not a genuine multistory home, in my market anyway - a ranch with a FROG is not considered a multistory here by anyone but a certain tax system in my market).

 

[VegasWayne]

I use offline, Microsoft Streets and Trips. It works with my laptop and GPS. I can import the comps from a database so I don't have to type in the addresses. The MLS here has longitude and latitude data for the comps. The maps are usually accurate enough that I can tell what side of the street the comp is on.

 

[PBKlingensmith]

I go between Google and Bing, the areas where Bing has the birdseye view option can't be beat.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

The aerial views and birds eye views from Realist (which comes with MLS for me) are great. You can see the parcel lines, click on a parcel and pull up the data on it, zoom in and rotate the view. I love when 1 view shows a house, another shows a vacant lot.

For navigating maps, I like google. Shows you a suggested route from A to B, and estimated travel time.
They even show traffic around here.

 

[zdfenton]

I use Delorme, it's not bad, but not great either. I should probably change to something else but I've been using it forever

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I find that Mapquest will find addresses that neither google, bing, nor street atlas have a clue..maybe they are just better updated in my area.

 

[Tom Foster]

Looks like Google is not perfect, but is the best for me so far.

I talked to my Thomas Guide Map rep yesterday and they are not going to make the CDs anymore only the paper maps every 2 years.

In California Thomas Guide Maps were the gold standand for mapping... great detailed maps since the 1950s, but free on-line maps are the trend.

 

[JAgnello]

Quite honestly I think it comes down to preference. Each product has unique advantages and disadvantages, so its’ just a matter of figuring out which features are most important to you.

For mapping properties my top two choices would be Google Maps or Google Earth. Although as Terrel pointed out sometimes you may need to use an alternative product like Mapquest to find a specific address. I find that data entry into Google Earth to be much quicker, but the one advantage Google Maps has is that it allows the user to easily change a driving route by simply dragging one of the one screen markers.

Bing Maps is also growing in popularity. I will use it if I need an aerial birdseye view of the property and surrounding area. Microsoft is also working on what they call Street Slide which is similar to Google’s street view option but it will be far more advanced. I can't wait for that to come out!

 

[hglenbetts]

Mostly Bing. Love the Bird's eye. Google street level isn't very complete in my market, but once in a while it gives a good preview.

But to map the trip, Bing, then I enter them into my Tom Tom and off I go. Turn Right ahead. :new_usa: