Have you seen this Google Maps car in your neighborhood?

Google Maps car canvasing St Petersburg FL

I’ve already written a post about the Google Maps street view vehicles driving through St Pete and Tampa Bay neighborhoods and what it means for you.   But recently I actually had an opportunity to see one for myself.   Driving on 5th Ave N in St Petersburg, FL I spotted a Google Maps car going in and out of the streets crossing the 5th Ave.   I was curious to check it up close and decided to follow it for a minute and shoot this short video for you.

There’s been a controversy about Google sending their maps fleet cars into the cities canvasing our neighborhoods.   Some believe it infringes on people’s privacy.   I can see the argument in this but I also see the great value.   For me, as a real estate agent, Google Maps street view is a great tool to look up the house and “walk” through the neighborhood even before I drive it.   This often helps me with adequately pricing the property or help buyer’s identify the specifics about the particular neighborhood.

For buyers in Tampa Bay this is also a great tool as they can do a lot of virtual walking without having to drive through the neighborhood.   They can also see if the pictures showing on MLS are actually of the house they are interested in and also see if they like the neighborhood.   Google doesn’t enhance the pictures, other than blurring out the faces of occasional pedestrians, so what you see is what you get.   I hope the next move for Google Maps is to actually go inside the people’s houses and take interior pictures!… ok, just kidding!

Have you see a Google Maps truck or car in your neighborhood in St Petersburg or Tampa?   What is your opinion on it?  Please leave a comment below!