New Map Features Helps Buyers Look for Homes in Fort Bend County

Recently, the Houston Association of Realtors enhanced the map features of all HAR sites.  Now you can get a good idea what most neighborhoods look like before you ever drive down the street.  This new feature is not available for all homes in every neighborhood.  The reason is because this new feature relies on actual photographic images taken by satelites and other survelance cameras and not every neighborhood has been surveyed.  This might be because the neighborhood is very new, or perhaps in a rural area.

This new feature is not automatically available, it must be installed.  I will run through very quickly what it might look like for you to install this software.  And by the way, the software if from Microsoft, so its safe for you to install.

You will find the map function in many places, but most often at the quick search here at FortBendBuyersAgent.com. On any of the listings within the quick search, click on the map button as pictured here.

Once you click on the map button, depending on your browser settings and the individual browser itself, you should get a small pop up window. Though some people will get a new browser windows. On this new window, click on the aerial button. There is really no reason to try to use the 3D feature in the plain street view. There is nothing to see! After clicking on the aerial button you can click on the 3D button to install Microsoft Virtual Earth.

If you decide the 3D view is too much and you want to go back to your simple life with just 2D views, you can do that easily, just click on the 2D button. If you have never installed Microsoft Virtual Earth, then clicking on the 3D button will prompt you to install it now. The process is very simple.

Installing Microsoft Virtual Earth

If this in fact the first time you have ever used Microsoft Virtual Earth, clicking on the 3D button will take you to the screen asking you to install Microsoft Virtual Earth. Simply click on the button and it will walk you through the installation process.  The rest of this How To will give you an idea of what to expect.

Depending on the browser you are using, you will get some form of warning message that you have to allow something to happen, like install a plugin or execute a file.  There is a general good rule of thumb when you see this on your computer screen.  If you are installing software from a trusted source and this warning appears during that installation, evern perhaps right after a click of the mouse, you generally know the warning is related the the trusted software manufacture.  Therefore, its ok to click through these warning messages.  Use common sense, however, this may not always be the case.

If you have trouble getting past these screens, there is oftena manual method offered as well, as indicated here.  In this case, follow the manual method and see if that does not work for you.

If you are using Internet Explorer, you should see the pop up to the right asking you to either save the file or run it.  This option is presented to you to give you an opportunity to save the file and scan it with your virus protection software, or just execute it.  If you are installing software from a trusted source you should be ok to just run it, that is what I recommend here.  But its your call.

While we are in the subject of Internet Explorer, if you are still running version 6 (or, gasp, and earlier version!), I suggest upgrading to version 7.  The latest version can be found here.

If you are running the Firefox browser, you will not be given the opportunity to simply run the file.  Firefox is more cautious than that, this browser wants you to first save the file then scan it with your virus protection.  So, click on the "Save File" button and then using the following window controls, save the file to a location you can remember and know how to find, like your desktop.  You will need to go find the file once it is saved and execute it.

If you are not running the Firefox browser, I do recommend it.  It is safer to operate that Internet Explorer as there are far fewer browser exploits written for it than Internet Explorer.  This means viruses are harder to place on your computer via Firefox than via Internet Explorer.  You can get Firefox here.

Back to Internet Explorer, if you choose to run the file within Internet Explorer, you will be asked if you are sure you want to do this.  How nice of those Microsoft people to ask!  Just click the "Run" button when the pop up window appears.

While Microsoft Virtual Earth is being downloaded to your computer, you will be presented with a video example of what you can see using the software.  When it is complete, you may be asked to continue to the next step.

After the software in completely downloaded, Microsoft will attempt to get you to install some additional software and make changes to your computer.  Please note that these are not required to make Microsoft Virtual Earth operate properly.  This is simply a means by which Microsoft tries to get you more dependent on them and their products.  The fact is, you probably already have a home page you want, and I believe there are other search engines better than Microsoft Live.  You decide, its your computer, but you don't need any of this stuff.

Each time you activate the 3D map search, you will be presented with help tips to teach you how to use the service.  That is, until you tell it to stop.  Simply allow this tips to be viewed until you are comfortable with using the new service.  When you are comfortable with using it and no longer want to see these tips, uncheck the box in the lower left that reads: "Show this screen when you start 3D."

You are now ready to use the new 3D tools available in my map tool.  On the left side of the viewer, you will notice all the new tools available to you now.  Play around with them, they could come in very handy when checking out a neighborhood where your next dream home will be!

I hope this tutorial was helpful to you and lets you use this new feature. My goal is to make the home search and of course buying routines simple and uncomplicated. Of course, if you ever need my personal one on one service, just contact me and I will be very happy to assist you.