Google Street View!

I used it all the time when house hunting. It was very nice to be able to have a quick look and realize that the classified ad is/isn't what is being promised.

Before that, you'd have to drive out to every one you were interested and see.

Of all the privacy concerns Google generates this isn't one I really care about, but I get why it can seem creepy, this video does a good job of poking fun at it:

a caveat, the google image may a few years old.

a lot of improvements can be done in that time.

ooo err ive just seen paradise

i'm going outside and i may be some time

Yeah, I re-did my driveway.