Jim Caulfield EVP, General Counsel | realtors.com
As the temperature drops, many people dream of moving to warmer climates. One such individual, currently residing in Joplin, MO, has been exploring vacation properties in Miami. With limited knowledge of the area and relying on online resources, they have found the new Dynamic Map Layers tool on Realtor.com® particularly useful.
The tool offers various features that provide detailed insights into neighborhoods. "I'm a very visual person, so I loved how the interactive maps were easy to use and understand," they noted.
One key feature is Market Hotness, which uses an index from 1-100 to indicate how quickly homes sell and the level of buyer demand. When comparing Miami and Tampa, it was observed that Miami had a mix of cool and warm areas while Tampa had more cool areas with lower home prices.
Another important feature is noise rating. The dynamic map layers show neighborhood noise levels caused by vehicle traffic, airplane traffic, and local sources. This helps potential buyers avoid noisy areas.
The sold price vs. list price tool shows the percentage of the original list price based on properties sold in the last year. This information can guide buyers on whether to offer over or under list price in a given market.
For those interested in cycling, like the individual's husband who is a cyclist, bike lanes are crucial. The dynamic map layer for bike lanes highlights neighborhoods that are most and least bike-friendly.
Flooding risk is another significant concern for Florida residents due to hurricanes. The dynamic map layer shows flooding depth based on a 1% risk over different time frames—this year, next 15 years, or next 30 years—helping buyers make informed decisions about property locations.
Other available map layers include days on market, year built, home size, lot size, lot slope, among others. These tools allow homebuyers to visualize hyperlocal insights and broader neighborhood trends to find their perfect home.