By Chris Norwood
Google Maps with their encompassing satellite view and their creative street view, became the subject of some controversy this summer, over a warm weather tradition: the pool party. You may be asking what pool parties and maps have to do with commercial real estate, but I assure you there are connections.
Last winter in Greece, CNN had reported that amidst financial slow down, Greek officials had begun to use Google Maps to locate property improvements that had not been reported to the local municipality. Houses, villas and of course pools, were items that had not been reported to the tax officials. Over this summer, it was reported that this trend caught on state side. On Long Island in the town of Riverhead 250 pools were found by town officials that had not been permitted. They used web based mapping and $75,000 of fines were levied. In a lighter hearted, but still unsettling story, Facebook and Google Maps were the tools that London teens used to collaborate to have spontaneous pool parties at pools where home owners were absent.
This has spawned debate over what is and what is not private. Perhaps Orwell was off by 26 years or so but it is honest for us to agree that Big Brother is watching us. Now take some time to think about your assets. Have you made any improvements to the lot over the years that may not have been permitted? Might a few trees met their demise in the back of your lot to improve a view or make way for parking? More maliciously are their items of value (copper in particular) that a savvy thief could spot on the roof top of your investment asset that could be removed?
These are not meant to be scare tactics nor are they meant to spawn a large debate. These tactics are here to stay so just make sure to be aware of the tools that others can use when reviewing your property, and please make sure to dress appropriately when you take a swim in your pool…. you never know who is watching.
Chris Norwood
Executive Vice President
NAI Norwood Group
