Eric it (Google Earth) depends on the area you are looking at. Some places are not that clear, some are covered by woods, and some are highly visible. I am able to pratically sit on top of our St. George Island beach home. I believe the program was updated in 2005, so if you get a clear shot on something it should be accurate. Some of the others like Terra Server are old programs that microsoft bought from the military. My home was built in 1999 and only shows as farmland on that program (a 1995 update).
Deb