What stories a house could tell if it could talk?

[Joshua Michael Hauman]

What stories a house could tell if it could talk? What if you could discover these stories without digging through old records or talking to past owners or locals in the area? With Google Maps, you can! 

Peek Into the Past

When you're thinking about investing in a property, knowing its history is helpful. With Google Maps, you can see how a property and its neighborhood have changed over time. 

Why Knowing History Helps

Seeing how an area has evolved can give you insight on what might happen there in the future. This can help you estimate repair costs for the property itself and get a feel for the neighborhood. For example, a quiet neighborhood that used to be a busy factory area might have hidden issues, like pollution. Or, a place where lots of new houses are being built might give you an indication that its an opportunity zone or in high demand.

Smart Steps to Take

1. Look Back in Time: Use Google Maps to flip through images from different years to see how things have changed on and around the property.
2. Spot the Signs: Keep an eye out for things like construction activity, nearby abandoned areas, traffic velocity to understand how things have developed over time.
3. Predict the Future: Knowing what’s happened before can help you guess what might happen next. How is the neighborhood trending? 
4. Consult Historical Zoning Information: Combine what you see on Google Maps with historical zoning data available from local city planning offices. This can be found on the county auditors website in many cases and will help you verify if the changes you see are in line with broader urban planning strategies.
5. Engage with the Community: Sometimes, the best insights come from local residents. After your virtual historical tour, connect with local investors and agents to hear their views on how the area has changed and what they expect in the future.

Make Smarter Choices

Understanding a property's past helps you see its potential future. With Google Maps, you can explore these stories easily and make smarter decisions about where to invest.

With Discipline,

Josh