|
Introduction
|
In Dec. 2006 the entire Sarasota MLS system was replaced by MLXchange ("MLX"). Nonetheless, we all still refer to
this new system as "The MLS." This new system uses state-of-the-art web site technology. It is designed to be customizable
with a very user-friendly web site approach to provide Realtors and the general public access to the data maintained in
the MLS database. In 2008 all MLS systems in mid-Florida having this technology formed the Mid-Florida MLS. This combined the
dozens of disparate databases into one huge database for all to use and share information. Most important, however, is the
system provides a service that allows our customers and clients to peruse and search the entire database. It is this service that
we provide to you, and this help information explains how to use the new service. Even better, the new system allows your
Realtor to set up "customized" queries that will notify you by Email in "real time" of properties that meet your criteria.
The MLX site uses a "menu" format of 4 Tabs arranged horizontally at the top of the web page. When you click on a tab,
you will be provided either data or more options. The first tab "Meadow Properties" contains a detail description how to use
the "Property Search" tab to display all properties in The Meadows that are on the market for sale.. The second tab is "Property
Search" and it is discussed below. The third tab "Our Listings" is under development to show all listings for our office. Currently
it only shows a few. This feature is to be fixed in the Mar/Apr timeframe. The last tab "Contact me" is a bit complex; whereas,
our web site provides an "Email us for MLS Info" link that is easier to use, more direct, and where all we ask you to provide
is the MLS #(s) of the listing(s) for which you would like additional information.
|
|
Property Search
|
|
The subtitle is "Find a listing" and shows a "magnifying glass icon" that together defines the purpose for all the
options on this page. Notice in red type it tells how many total listings are in the entire database. If there are this many
listings, you can see the need to have tools to find and focus (i.e. use a magnifying glass") to cull and observe only those
listings of interest to you. Notice the line "Select a search that most suits what you are looking for," and below that
line (in red type) there are 8 predefined search options offered as a starting point for your search. There is significant
commonality in all 8 choices, and once you understand one thoroughly, all other 7 will be easy to learn. Further, we
expect 95% of our users will only be using the "Residential Property Search" and the "Condominium Property Search." Therefore,
we will focus our Help on these two, and offer Email answers for your questions regarding the others.
|
|
Some general Search "Tips"
|
|
Searching is both an art and a science. It is mostly science to fill out a form with criteria, and then press the
Search button. This is called "executing a Query containing your filters (aka criteria)." Building the Query by answering
questions is mostly a science. Then, it takes some artistry in both query design and execution to combine searches and search
results as a process of narrowing-in (aka "drilling-down") and finding the best property that suits your requirements. Quite
often, it takes a lot of time, thought, and hard work to accomplish the goal With that in mind, here is a simple example to
consider. If you are only interested in properties in the price range of $250,000 to $275,000 your would set your "filter"
criteria (used by the Search engine for culling) to these values, and the search engine will return only properties meeting
your criteria. You can use as many of the criteria filters as you like to reduce the quantity of search results. But, please
exercise caution to "over filtering" in any one Query. We suggest you start by keeping the number of filters to a
minimum. If the number of results is too large, then add a filter and try again (this is "drilling-down"). Very often it
is best to use multiple queries. Also, you could do a second query with a price range of $275,000 to $278,000 just to see if
there were any properies that were just barely too expensive, but perhaps it might reveal a property that was otherwise
exactly what you were looking for. The point being that sometimes it is best to use multiple queries rather than making one
quesry very restrictive. Next, we will discuss the filters available in the two most frequently used queries.
|
|
"Residential Property Search" and "Condominium Property Search"
|
|
The basic difference between these two searches is that one filters for listings that pertain to "Residential
Properties" and the other filters for listings that pertains to "Condominium Properties." When you select one or the other
you will be presented with a screen offering you "criteria" as filters to be used in the search. These filters will help
to reduce the number of properties that the search provides. You will notice below that a number of these filters provide a
list box wherein there are multiple items listed. For example, the "County ID" below is a list box with many counties from
which to select. NOTE: to select multiple counties you need to hold the "Ctl" key down and select those you want by pointing
and clicking your mouse.
|
|
Common Search "Criteria"
|
|
The following are common to all types of searches:
|
|
MLS#
|
|
Every property in the MLS has a unique MLS number. There are never two properties with the same MLS number, and
MLS numbers are never reused. If you know the MLS#, this is the ideal search because it provides only one result. You should
never use any other filter when using the MLS# as a filter.
|
|
County ID
|
|
If you only want to see properties in a specific County, select the County. Otherwise, your results will include
all counties. See the NOTE above for how to make multiple county selections.
|
|
City
|
|
This works just like County. Be careful you do not make conflicting choices. For example, do not select "Sarasota"
as the County and "Bradenton" as the City because there will be no results. This is because "Bradenton" is in "Manatee"
County. See the NOTE above forhow to make multiple city selections.
|
|
Zip Code
|
|
If you know the zip code of interest to you, then use it. If you enter a zip code, there is no need to have entered
any of the above filters. That could be redundant, but worse it could be a conflicting filter for which there would be no results.
|
|
List Price
|
|
See the discussion above where we gave an example using these filters. This filter requires two values where you
must set a price range from value "x" to value "y" with the expectation that the results will only include properties that fall
within this range of prices. Again, from the above discussion, consider secondary searches that include a price range a little
below, and another search just a bit above the range to insure you did not miss the ideal property for just a couple of
dollars. Also, notice the checkbox telling you whether or not the numbers you enter are in thousands of dollars, or they are in
exact whole dollars. With the box checked an entry of "250" to "275" is requestion the range from 250,000 to 275,000.
|
|
# Existing Bedrooms
|
|
This allows you to specifiy the lowest and highest # of bedrooms that a property must have.
|
|
# Full Baths
|
|
This allows you to specifiy the lowest and highest # of bathrooms that a property must have. Typically, this would
not be used because other filters are more important and this might over-filter the results.
|
|
# Half Baths
|
|
This allows you to specifiy the lowest and highest # of half-bathrooms that a property must have. Typically,
this would never be used. Not all can even agree on what defines a half-bath.
|
|
SqFt Living Area
|
|
This allows you to specifiy the lowest and highest amount of square footage of living space the property must
have. Use this with caution because not everyone counts square footage the same. For example, does the "living area" have
to be only air conditioned space, or does it include an attached garage, or does it include covered patio and entry areas? Our
advice is to use this only in your secondary searches when your primary search returns too many results.
|
|
# Covered Parking Spaces
|
|
Like "SqFt Living Area" this too can be misinterpreted to mean a garage or just a parking pad with open sides and
a roof. Probably best to not use this filter except in secondary searches.
|
|
"Subdivision Name" and "Condominium Name"
|
|
These contain names that you can highlight (select). "Subdivision Name" is found in the "Residential" search
engine, and "Condominium Name" is found in the "Condominium" search engine. In a "Residential" search, and using the
"Subdivision Name" filter, there is a selectable entry for "Meadows" that when selected will filter (return results) for all
properties for sale in The Meadows "subdivision." Why? Because there is a Subdivision in The Meadows named "Meadows" wherein
you would find those properties deeded in one of the many "Unit #" areas in The Meadows. There are, however, other Subdivisions
like "Stratfield Park," "Hylands," "Penshurst Park," and "Muirfield Heath" that also contain "Residential" proprties. This filter
allows you to select multiple Subdivision names (see above NOTE). You will not find "Condominiums" in a "Residential" search,
and vice-versa. In the "Condominium" search engine you will not find a filter for "Subdivision Name." Instead, there is a
filter for "Condominium Name." Finally, notice the Tab we titled "Meadows Properties" for a step-by-step procedure for
performing "Residential" and "Condominium" searches. We will update this Tab as changes and fixes are implemented by the MLX folks.
|
|
Street Name
|
|
If you know the name of the street of interest this will significantly reduce your search results. The caution is
that somethimes a street named "Marsh Field" can also be known as "Marshfield." These types of anomalies can provide unexpected
results. Use secondary searches to test for these types of anomalies.
|
|
Waterfront Description
|
|
If you are interest in waterfront property this is a great filter to use. However, know that definitions are
sometimes unclear and it is best to use different choices in secondary searches and review the results.
|
|
Year Built
|
|
Enter the range of dates that define your requirements. If you prefer a newer property you might enter, for
example, the years 2005 to 2007
|
|
Pool Description
|
|
Typically, a pool is either "In ground" or "above ground," but other choices are available, and it is hard to suggest
which to use. See the NOTE above for how to make multiple pool selections. For example, an "in-ground" pool could be "concrete"
or "fiberglass," and either could be using "FreshWater" or "SaltWater." These options can all be tested in secondary queries.
|
|
Listing Date
|
|
This could be used to cull for only "newer" listings. For example, entering a "from date" that is 30 days ago and
a "to date" that is today's date should produce results that give you only listings entered into the MLS in the past 30 days. We
suggest it inadvisable to use this method to find listings that are very old because usually they expire and are relisted with
a new date and a new MLS number.
|
|
Please call your Realtor for additional assistance. |