Archive for the 'property maps' category
Online Access to Massachusetts Property Maps and GIS maps
Through MainStreetMaps you can access interactive property maps of over 200 towns and cities throughout Massachusetts. The information provided includes aerial and satellite photos, parcel/property lines, parcel ID’s and building footprints. The GIS or Geographic Information System allows anyone with a web browser to visually display city data through various GIS data layers. The layers can be added to the maps display as needed. GIS software helps many city departments manage and analyze geographically referenced information as displayed through the maps. This interactive GIS map is continuously adding features and updating data layers so check back often.
In my experience, evaluating GIS maps have been helpful in determining any underground water that may affect a specific property. In one instance, I was selling a home and was unaware that at one point there was a creek running right through the center of the property. Although now the creek is underground and there is no surface water I knew that the home would be plagued with water issues. During our home inspection the inspector did point out evidence of water penetration in the basement; however there was no true way to gauge the full extent. The potential buyers, my client, were planning on finishing the basement in the near future. After viewing the GIS map for the area with my client they decided not to move forward with the purchase since finishing the basement would not be an option. Lesson learned, now whenever there is an unknown on a specific property I rely on MainStreetMaps for information.
