Maps #33: Relocating with Online Maps

The Houston Association of Realtors web page has really changed over the past four years. My husband and I used it 4 years ago to find our current house. I liked the way that this time around I could separate out the forclosures out from the others. There sure are alot of forclosure right now, over 36 in the Katy area. Also, it seemed that every house had virtual tours right on the website. Four years ago, I would say only about half of them had the pictures and that was only if they were desperate to sell the house. At the time none of the forclosure had pictures; now they all have them.


Another feature I loved is that HAR has gone international. They have properties listed in Greece, Dubai, Mexico, Brazil and more. In fact I found one property in South Africa that I got a real good look at. It was a several acre property. The final picture in the tour was six lions. Were they sitting there near the house waiting for something?

I chose to look up the Walk Score for a house in the Memorial Parkway subdivision, a neighborhood very close to the library. Considering the number of strip centers and grocery stores nearby, I expected the Walk Score to be very high. I was extremely disappointed. The Walk Score was only 31. What I don't understand is that my home, just as close to other stores in a different area scored a 60. I'm not sure I trust the Walk Score anyway. I think it works on as the crow flies mentality. I happen to know my house is 3.5 miles from the library but this website is telling me it is just 2.5.

The new house would be within walking distance of all the public schools, Memorial Parkway Elementary, Memorial Parkway Junior High, and Taylor High. There are two grocery stores, a Randalls and an HEB within walking distance too. There is also at least 2 Mexican Restaurants, 3 sandwich shops. and several pizza places very close by. I would also be 3 miles closer to the library.

I liked the HAR website best. It was easiest to narrow down exactly what I wanted in a house. They had some any different ways you could narrow things down. You can get very specific as to your desires.