Google Tech Will Soon Expose A Few Secrets in Seattle

Ryan’s Tools of the Trade post reminded me of my last trip to New York City. I wasn’t familiar with my hotel’s location and desperately sought for detailed and visual road maps of lower Manhattan. Not to continue on the “I heart Google parade” but Google Street View made it so I didn’t have tourist slapped on my face when I visited the big city. You might be asking, what does this have to do with Seattle and more importantly, real estate? Well, a lot.  

According to a Capital Hill blog, Google Street View is coming to Seattle. What differentiates Street View from Google Earth or Microsoft’s Virtual Earth used by Redfin, is the ability to see street signs, cross walks and building details from the same perspective as if you were actually on street level.  

Today, without even attending an open house, people have visibility to the secrets most homebuyers have weeks to polish and eh, hide before strangers start trolling through their things. Think parking the old RV in the front yard during the week will not affect the weekend’s open house traffic? Think again! With Street View, potential homebuyers can take an electronic stroll down your driveway while analyzing the quality of the pavement grooves.  

Street View can play an advantage when selling a home. If a home is within walking distance to a great restaurant or park like this home in downtown Issaquah or this condo in Mercer Island, potential homebuyers can have the experience of “walking” the same route right from their computer. It can be an interesting and dynamic real estate marketing tool. Google hasn’t shared when Street View will go live in Seattle, but rumors circulating say it will be soon.