Information You Can Rely On - 4 Reasons to Google That Address...

Found a great place?  Fantastic!  But before you jump in with an offer, you'll want to Google the address.  Why?  Here are 4 great reasons:

1.  To see if Megan's Law Registrants live nearby.  Safety first.  Megan's Law requires law-enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders in their neighborhoods.  Googling your address and "Megan's Law" will turn up a quick list of nearby registrants.  Alarmism isn't a good look, but this is information you should have.

2.  Find crime reports and data for your home and environs.  A search for an address or city and "crime reports" is most likely to turn up your local police or sheriff's office's crime map or a list of local happenings.  You'll want to check if the home's address is on any concerning lists, and see what the broader crime trends are like around the home, too.

3.  To see the maps.  Take a virtual walk around the block with Google's Street View and get a better sense of the neighborhood - especially if you're relocating to a new place.  And a satellite map can be really useful to get a broader lay of the land.

4.  To learn about what's coming to the neighborhood.  Searching for the address, neighborhood name, and city/state can also help you locate permit applications - particularly true for permits that require environmental or neighbor feedback.  This way you can know in advance about a new coffee shop coming around the corner, or a large, multi-year building project happening down the street.

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