Latitude and Longitude location

[Jerry Lieb]

I appraiser a lot of vacant land - much of it far from any populated area, and of course no street addresses exist.

The MLS I belong to used to have Smart Map, a really nice feature which allowed one to call up an aerial map by parcel number (or owner's name). It would present the aerial with the parcel map overlay. I could then move the pointer with my mouse, to each of the property's corners and write down the latitude and longitude readings. In this way, I could easily locate the actual property using my handheld GPS.

The MLS has dropped Smart Map and gone to PinPoint - which, as far as I can tell - does not offer this feature.

Does anyone know of an alternative that would give me what I am looking for?

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

 

[jay trotta]

last time I used Latitude/Longitude was when I was in the service;

I currently use my cell phone GPS, recently upgraded it to include Trafic notices and it is the best $9.90 a month I spend. Pinpoint accuracy, haven't missed a property yet.

 

[Couch Potato]

You seem to have missed the point of his post Jay. Jerry, have you contacted the support people with your MLS? Maybe the feature is just in a spot that is not obvious. You could use google earth. Just line it up on your screen side by side with the MLS map.

 

[Wayne Tomlinson]

Google earth

Google earth will provide that information in addition to elevation.

Takes a little work, but it is doable.

I sometimes use Mapquest just to be able to see the surroundings.

I also always get aerial photos from the USDA for the information provided on them. In my area, they cost $1.00 each. Worth the trip. If it is ag land and you are not using their data, then you are not telling the whole story.

Wayne Tomlinson

 

[Michigan CG]

I also always get aerial photos from the USDA for the information provided on them.

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/

Wayne is the website you are referring to? Maps for $1? Is that off the website?

 

[Couch Potato]

Google earth will provide that information in addition to elevation.

Takes a little work, but it is doable.

It is very little work to turn on the grid and zoom in to the property.

 

[Anthem]

Not sure what software you use but with Alamode you can enter lat and long and it will locate the subject and comps, complete with Aerial View etc... I use it all the time.

 

[Couch Potato]

Not sure what software you use but with Alamode you can enter lat and long and it will locate the subject and comps, complete with Aerial View etc... I use it all the time.

He wants to go the other way around. He knows where the property is on the map, he then wants to get the latitude and longitude so that when he inspects the land he is sure he is at the right place.

One of the greatest hazards of appraising vacant land in an undeveloped area is appraising the wrong parcel. Knowing the GPS coordinates of the boundary before going to the parcel is a great help, particularly when there is no physical indication at the site.

 

[Jerry Lieb]

To Wayne, Couch Pot., Tim, Jay and Preston:

Thank you all for your comments. I have emailed MLS but haven't had a reply yet. If they do have this feature, they've hidden it amazingly well.

My primary need is for commercial appraisals (narratives) so I don't use Ala Mode; don't even have it in our office. Our resid. dept. has Day One.

I'll check out Google Maps so see if that will work for me.

Thank you all for replying to my question....!

Jerry Lieb

 

[Wayne Tomlinson]

$1.00 maps

I am sorry, the maps that I referred to are the regular farm maps which are availble at the USDA offices.

They are restricted distribution, but as an appraiser you have access to them.

The various counties all treat it differently. and some refuse. Some have asked me for my license to copy.

In Illinois, the state has sent out a letter to all the offices telling them that the information should be available to appraisers.

I have had to show it a few times other times I have reminded them that I do have a right to the information

If any one wants a copy, I wil be happy to fax it. Sorry, I don't yet have a scanner or I would post it here.

Wayne Tomlinson