Who Needs a Map?

By: Leslie Williamson

As metro Atlanta continues to grow, so do our means for getting around the town – which certainly changes the home search process a bit for both Realtors and buyers. Funny to think back and realize that it wasn’t that long ago that to prepare to show listings, I would actually purchase a local map to determine the location of the listing and the easiest routes to drive to the listing. In desperate times I would even call to get directions.

Now we no longer need the tried and true map or phone call, as we can rely on the following:

 1) Google Maps will actually illustrate a map of listings

2) One flick of a button and Mapquest gives us easy to use driving instructions

3) GPS provides a voice that actually gives us instructions as we drive to the listing; in fact, certain GPS systems will even show you nearby Coldwell Banker listings

But as so many things are continually changing within the home buying purchase process – from the way we physically get to homes to the way we finance them – it’s nice to know that good customer service will always drive the sale. Oh, and my map is now framed and I have a GPS that I have affectionately named “Herb.”