Since more people are relying on the Internet to research property and look at real estate listings than ever before, it's not surprising that technology and information sources have expanded to meet the need.

A profile of homebuyers and sellers conducted by the National Association of Realtors in 2005 reports that use of the Internet to search for a home has risen dramatically, increasing from only 2 percent of buyers in 1995 to an astounding 77 percent in 2005. When respondents were asked where they first learned about the home they purchased, 24 percent identified the Internet as their primary source.

The latest Internet information resource available to homebuyers is one that goes way beyond simple descriptions and photos of listings. New aerial mapping websites that provide a satellite overview to driveway perspective of homes are cropping up everywhere. HomePages.com, HousingMaps.com and several similar websites have come online in recent months, giving buyers an interactive view of the earth below and the ability to focus in on specific lots in the neighborhood, nearby parks, places of worship, schools and businesses. Consumers just enter an address to zero in on a specific property.

According to Realtor Larry Baldasano of Village Square Realty in Los Gatos, the new aerial and satellite imagery available on the Internet will definitely affect the real estate industry. "I was recently impressed with aerial searching and mapping. It's a very accurate appraisal, and I zoomed right in on the roof of the home," Baldasano said.

Using aerial and satellite imagery will enhance the research phase for consumers and when combined with online listings will bring a real-life component to the search for a home.

There are a variety of mapping websites available now, and they offer different features. The simplest ones, such as HousingMaps.com, allow users to enter a location, type of property and price range. With just one click, the user can see a map of the area showing the properties that meet their criteria. Buyers can choose a variety of ways to view the information, either at street level or an aerial view, or check out the details of each listing.

Some of the more advanced mapping services, such as HomePages.com, offer more options and details, showing neighborhood features, prices of recently sold properties, local restaurants and more. "It is not just knowing where the park is, but being able to zoom in and see if it has playground equipment, a basketball court or a dog park," according to HomePages.com's Matt Heinz.

According to the National Association of Realtors, aerial real estate mapping websites have only been around for about 18 months. The first site was HousingMaps.com, an informal "mashup" project combining Google Maps with real estate classifieds from Craigslist. Since then, the number of mapping websites has rapidly expanded, from national websites such as HomePages.com and Zillow.com to regional services such as Seattle's Redfin.com and California's Trulia.com. Google Earth is also a popular and easy way to try out aerial mapping. Even REALTOR.com has begun beta testing a mapping feature to help buyers find listings.

There are some drawbacks to aerial mapping. Sometimes aerial maps are not the most current, and some sites may not have entirely accurate information in all cases. There is also a quality issue with some sites not providing clear images that affect how a property is viewed. Some of the sites can be expensive as well.

"Our Virtual Tour Company offers the aerial photo service, but it is very expensive. Also some services offering the aerial photos are using outdated maps, so you need to be sure the information is up to date," cautions Realtor Josie Gambera of Cashin Company in Los Altos.

Gambera says most of her clients like to have a virtual tour online but still prefer to view the properties personally. Many prefer to drive by on their own to see if they like the neighborhood, but will then call Gambera to have her meet them at the properties they are most interested in.

The implementation of aerial real estate mapping services in conjunction with online listings enables the real estate agent to not only show a property, but also to show a complete visual picture of surrounding areas and attractions to consumers--all in the comfort of their own homes.

The various mapping websites available on the Web are another tool among the many choices homebuyers have available today when researching properties and neighborhoods. Realtors who know the business inside out can provide information on how best to use the technology and sites in order to get a realistic view of a property and its neighborhood. These kinds of tools provide one set of knowledge, while a Realtor who knows the neighborhood from a different perspective can round out the picture.

That's why people in the real estate industry are viewing the new mapping tools as another service that provides added value by offering clients one more option to check out properties. Looking at an aerial map and a zooming in on the neighborhood provides a birds-eye view, but actually purchasing a property requires more than a click on the computer--it requires the knowledge and expertise of a real estate professional.

For those interested in checking out aerial mapping, the following websites offer a variety of different ways to check in on a specific property: HousingMaps.com, HomePages.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Redfin.com and Google Earth.