The Google Earth satellite mapping system might not, at first mention, seem all that relevant to property investors. However, it’s an invaluable tool to have and there are many benefits to be gained by property investors who take the time to explore its potential.

The Google Earth system lets you view satellite images, maps, buildings and terrain anywhere in the world. This means that you can hone in on a certain area, such as a town, street or even a house that you’re interested in and get to view it up close online.

For property investors, Google Earth is a really useful tool to be able to use, as it means you can suss out properties you’re interested in purchasing, see neighbouring homes and explore what the local area has to offer.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need do these things in person too, but it does give a very useful alternative perspective on things, as you can see the size of a house from above and in 3D.

There are a lot of ways in which you can use Google Earth to your advantage when you’re thinking about investing in property. Here are two of them.

Google Earth can help you look at a specific property

Google Earth is great for honing in and getting a much closer look at a specific property. Although you may well have already got property specs, the 3D imaging allows you to see the property from another perspective.

You should be able to see the property, any extensions that have been built on the property, the size of the garden and access points, plus look at in relation to neighbouring properties. For example, if you know the prices of other properties in the same road, you can compare visuals of their size, access, garden etc. 

Google Earth can help you study the area

It’s always important to look at the property location and look at what the area has to offer, and you can get a reasonable idea using Google Earth.

For example, you should be able to see what shops, schools, supermarkets, pubs, leisure facilities or railways are in the location and how near or far they are from the property you’re interested in.

Or you can see what large businesses are in the area, such as factories or major employers, that may need properties to house workers, or organisations where key workers would be based, like large hospitals.

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