1. Powered by Google?
2. What do you mean "pretty much" the same way Google works?
3. How do I make the best use of a Real Estate Search Engine?
4. Can I use Search Operators?
5. What are my Search Result display options?
6. Why are my search results missing from the Google Map?
7. Why is Trulia and/or Zillow info missing?
8. Feedback? |
Search FAQ
1. "Powered by Google"? Really?
We use Google Search Appliances to index MLS listings, plus additional information our Agents provide about our own listngs, so you can "Google" Real Estate pretty much same way you would Google anything else:
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Like Google, our search only returns pages that contain all of your keywords (unless you use an operator). The search phrase handy man special will probably return fewer accurate listings than using only handy man, for example.
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Your keywords are highlighted in your search results, so you can make more informed decisions about which listings you want to see.
2. What do you mean "pretty much" the same way Google works?
Our Google search hardware doesn't do all the things "regular Google" does, at least not yet. Some of the differences include:
- Limited"stemming": Stemming is when a search engine subtracts suffixes like "-ing" or "-s" and searches for just the word stem in addition to the form that was entered. On regular Google, for example, a search for "surf" would also return results that include "surfing" and vice versa.
We have our own list of synonyms for this search engine, but its not as complete or accurate as Big Google's. We think we have the real esate-related ones covered (like "condo=condos, condominium, condominiums,CND"), but we are not trying to cover the whole language like Google does.
- No Spelling Suggestions: Google Search Appliances offer some limited support for spelling suggestions, but we have to build the dictionary it uses (both the misspellings and the suggestions) by hand. As people use our search engine, we will build that reference and offer spelling suggestions.
3. How do I make the best use of a Real Estate Search Engine?
The search capability on most Real Estate Web sites is limited to a database field search, which forces you to search in ranges and then narrow your results from a long list. This site is different. Search technology breaks down the barriers between objective data like property address and type, makes subjective information searchable, and it allows you to combine the two in a search.
Here are some examples:
- Combine an address or a partial address with a agent name or partial agent name: Most yard signs carry an agent's name. If you know an agent named "John Smith" has a listing on Main Street in New Haven, you can find it instantly by entering "New Haven Main Smith" .
- Enter an MLS#
- Search for what you really want: Agents know what makes their listing attractive and they usually describe whatever that is in the property description. Search for things like "mature gardens" , "water view", "beach access", "large lot", etc. You can narrow your search to a specific town or town by typing them in, or by using the Town Filter below the keyword box.
- You can still use "traditional" database filters. Searching in ranges is useful when a keyword search alone fails to find listings you like, or if you just like looking through the results.
We provide traditional Real Estate search filters for States, Towns, price ranges, property type, etc. These are always available by clicking the "show filters" link below the key |