Distraction: Housing Prices + Google Maps

Well, someone finally hacked Google Maps to display housing prices.

You have to zoom in and move the map around a bit to get it to display sometimes, and certain neighborhoods don't display anything.

The data is a bit spotty, and they don't make their methodology public. Based on my work in construction, on housing policy, plus ten or so years of living in DC and reading the real estate section of the papers, I have a pretty good sense as to how much housing in different neighborhoods cost.

This program overestimates "hot" neighborhoods which have cooled off recently, and underestimates some working class neighborhoods which are being gentrified but currently have low property tax assessments.

But its usually in the ballpark, and its a powerful comparative tool. Enjoy.