Google changed a while back. If you are looking for the Street View button it has been replaced by the little guy icon on the + or - scale on the left side. You just drag it over where you want it. Remember not all cities offer the street view.
I use the Bing Live maps and the birds eye view all the time to see what I'm getting myself into. It works pretty well. I like the rotating feature. It gives a clear view of all sides of the property. Place your curser over the "airial" and click on birds eye. You can only zoom in so far but its pretty good.