The screenshot to the left is of an app on my iPhone that I use and if you aren’t familiar with it I am confident you will want to use if you are in the market to buy or sell. It is free and available for both iOS and Android.
The app is ArcGIS Field Maps and I love it. After installing it on your phone or tablet, open the app. Upon opening it the first time you will encounter a login screen. Tap ‘Skip Sign In’. Next, type ‘Douglas County MN’ into the search bar. When you are asked if Field Maps can use your location, I advise allowing it to do so while using the app. When the app is closed, you won’t be tracked. By allowing it to use your location while using you of course can quickly recenter the map to your location but the best part of allowing it to use your location is for when you are out in the field, so to speak. I love it when I am at properties for sale as it is a fantastic tool to show buyers the property boundaries as you will see a bird’s eye image (GIS) of the property and a blue dot identifying your location in real time. In the past I carried printouts of from GIS showing the lot lines or had the GIS saved to my phone or tablet. Having a visual in your hand showing your actual location is really a great tool. And tapping on a parcel will give you the same information and filtering layers that Douglas County has available on their web-site.
I have no doubts that you will find this app useful if you are considering buying or if you just like to have info in your pocket. Who doesn’t like info? I know most like talking about real estate even if they aren’t buying or selling so Field Maps will be appreciated by many.
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