< User Guide > New Search and Map browse: Map Settings and Layers for search

• Map Settings and Layers for search overview
• Map settings in New search
• Map settings in New search: Navigate
• Map settings in New search: Select
• Map settings in New search: Map Base Layer
• Map settings in New search: Property Overlays flags
• Map Browse
• Map Browse: Layers
• Map Browse: Identify
• Map Browse: Select
• Map Browse: Measure
• Map Browse: Save Map
• Map Browse: Map Base Layers
• Map Browse: Property Overlays flags

Map Settings and Layers for search overview

While working with iMapp search functionality, you can use maps as an additional tool for your property hunt: iMapp allows for using a map as exclusive search option or apply it as an additional geographic parameter for your other searches (click here if you want to get more details on where maps sections are used in iMapp property reports).

For the search process, maps are available in two iMapp options:

• new search
• map browse

If you want to start with learning how property search works in iMapp, jump to New Search guide and Map Browse guide.

Map settings in New search

While working with iMapp search via New Search, use Search Area Reference Map option to add area parameter(s) and get more specified search results. Moreover, the map pop-up includes additional data visualization components to analyze the real estate context in selected location and tools to work with the map:

When Search Area Reference Map link is clicked, you’ll be taken to the map view: you need to use this map tool (Select) to highlight the area you’re interested in. These areas will be added to as search regions to filter your search (along with any other data/textual search parameters you have specified, if any).

On this map, you can do some navigation and layer adjustment to help you to analyze an ideal area to look for the properties you’re interested in. When you are done with navigating or adjusting layers, pick Select to start picking your search area(s). The instruments of the interactive map include the following options:

• Layers to change the map view layout and display real estate properties according to selected parameters.
• Navigate to move around the map, zooming in and out, getting an overview of the area (check navigation tip to see all navigation options); use this option return to navigation mode, to move around the map and zoom (etc)after layers and select tool were used.
• Select to pick out the specific geographic area(s) you’re interested in searching within and start new search.
• Map Base Layer setting offers you different map types to work with.

If you decide against adding a map region filter, the X button closes Search Area Map pop-up and takes you back to search page, without adding additional geographic parameters to the search.

On the right corner, the option Layers changes map layout. Here you can select the map view which is appropriate for your work: each of the options (Base Map, Overlay Boundaries, Parcel Boundaries) has its own list of layers, boundaries and outlines, which can provide valuable context to your research. Click on pre-selected default value to see all options in the dropdown:

• Base Map option changes base layer (you can select between street, aerials, flood); the dropdown options coincide with the map base layer type settings in right bottom corner: if the base layer was selected in the bottom, you’ll see the same set up in the dropdown.
• Show Boundaries dropdowns allows to select different types of border lines, thus highlighting the boundaries depending on division (zip code boundaries, city boundaries, neighborhood boundaries, county boundaries, etc.). To activate this layer, check the checkbox “Show Boundaries” and select the option you prefer in the dropdown.
• Parcel Annotations checkboxes include layers with additional information or parameters, and the properties, which fit these parameters (Tax Delinquent, Rental properties, etc.). Check your preference and iMapp will display this info on the map.
• Points of Interest include categories such as MLS listing flags of various statuses (MLS Listing Data) and foreclosures info (Foreclosures). When the checkbox is disabled, the flags disappear from the map and Property Overlays bar and the bottom of the map
• Lot Dimensions or lot size, the dimension or measurement of a property. When clicked, you’ll see lots line lengths displayed on the map.

IMPORTANT: there is no “revert to default” option for Map Layers menu: iMapp will remember your settings and will apply them in your next session. Some annotation and icon layers, when turned on, will also added the quick “Property Overlays” menu at the bottom of the map for easier customization. The number of layers is limited to the allowed space on the “Property Overlays”.

To go back from Map Layers to tools list, click on Map Layers iconone more time.

Navigate

When Navigate is selected, you can move around the map, zooming in and out, getting an overview of the area and find the best location for next search. Alternatively, you can choose the one exact property on the map: just zoom in to see the houses on the map and click the one you’re interested in to see the pop-up with property details:

That means that Navigate enables the possibility to choose the property or parcel and move to property’s details report (searching for one property on one spot on the map):

Select

The option Select in Search Area Reference Map is the tool to specify the geographic area(s) where the search should be processed: Select adds area requirements to search as a separate parameter. It helps you when you want to start properties search in exact region or neighborhood. When Select is clicked, you’ll get options to choose the form to draw the area which is the most convenient in your case: freeform (lasso), polygon, rectangle, and circle:

When the area is highlighted, you can add additional areas of the same or different shape type. Once all required areas are applied, click Confirm Selection to confirm the area(s) and add selected area(s) to search parameters, Cancel to repeal the selection and switch off “Select” mode.

Map Base Layer

Map Base layer option includes 3 base map types to work with: streets, aerials, flood. Select the one depending on what you’re focused on: risk of flooding (flood), regional overview using aerial photos (aerials), or just on analysis using common street map perspective (streets):

Property Overlays flags

With Property Overlays flags you can set up the view of the properties so that you will see the statuses of properties you are interested in. By default, you can see there all flags on MLS listings details (active, pending, sold, withdraw, expired when available) and foreclosures info (foreclosures). When checkboxes are disabled, the flags disappear both from the map and from Property Overlays bar and the bottom of the map:

Moreover, the visibility of the flags can be controlled via Map Layers menu:

• the settings under Parcel Annotations (estimated value, equity, tax delinquent, etc.) will be shown in Property Overlays if they are checked and disappear if unchecked (they are unchecked and hidden by default);
• the selection under Points of Interest will be displayed in the Property Overlays settings too: the Foreclosure and MLS Listing check boxes are enabled by default; if all check boxes in Points of Interest are unchecked, the Property Overlays is not displayed at all.

The changes for flags selection applied in Map Layers will be displayed both in Map Layers settings and in Property Overlays bar.

Note: Not all map layers are available in all locations or at all zoom levels. If you do not see a layer you are expecting, you may need to zoom in or out or move to a different location to see that layer. Additionally, some icon layers are presented via “clustering” at some zoom layers, if there are too many icons to display individually. When you see an icon with a small red number next to it, that indicates the icon represents a cluster of similar icons at roughly that map location. You can zoom in closer to see those icons in there exact location.

If you want to discover new prospects on specified location go to Map browse tool.

Map Browse

Map browse is the option which gives an opportunity to start the property search using specified geo-location as the only parameter for the search. When clicked, you’ll get a map view of your location with the parcels and properties. Use zoom in/out to set up the best view, select the area or item, click on it to see the details or select the location to start a search there.

Map Browse includes default iMapp map options, which include the panel with tools, map base layers and property overlays flags:

Layers

Layers is the first tool in Map Browse tools panel. The option allows adding a big number of additional map layers to see more information about the properties. Use check boxes to switch on and off these views, specifying the details (also using drop downs under each of the view type):

Each option (Base Map, Overlay Boundaries, Parcel Boundaries) has its own list of layers, boundaries and outlines, click on pre-selected default value to see all options in the dropdown:

• Base Map option changes base layer (you can select between street, aerials, flood); the dropdown options coincide with the map base layer type settings in right bottom corner: if the layer base was selected in the bottom, you’ll see the same set up in the dropdown.
• Overlay Boundaries dropdowns allows to select different types of border lines, thus highlighting the boundaries depending on division (zip code boundaries, city boundaries, neighborhood boundaries, county boundaries, etc.). To activate this layer, check the checkbox “Show Boundaries” and select the option you need in the dropdown.
• Parcel Annotations checkboxes include layers with additional information or parameters, and the properties, which fit these parameters (Tax Delinquent, Rental properties, etc.). Check the one you need and iMapp will display this info on the map.
• Points of Interest groups into two categories all flags on MLS details (MLS Listing Data when available) and foreclosures info (Foreclosures). When the checkbox is disabled, the flags disappear from the map and Property Overlays bar and the bottom of the map
• Lot Dimensions or lot size, the dimension or measurement of a property's lot line. When clicked, you’ll see lots sizes displayed on the map.
• Subject property disables/enables the display of the subject property item (if you uncheck the screenshot the icon will disappear)

Identify

Identify tool works as a pointer on the map: when this option is selected, you can move on the map, zooming in and out to find the most interesting area or property. When the property is found, click on it to see property overview pop-up with the information about the item. If you click on the link on pop-up, you’ll be take to that property details report:

Select

The option Select is the main tool within Map Browse tools. Select works for search area highlighting and running a new search in that specified location. In this case the location is the only parameter for the search: map browse is useful when you want to start properties search in exact district or neighborhood. When Select is clicked, you’ll get options to choose the form to draw the area which is the most convenient in your case: freeform, polygon, rectangle, and circle:

When the area is highlighted, the action pop-up appears: click Confirm Selection to confirm the area and run the search, Cancel to repeal the selection and switch off “Select” mode.

Measure

The Measure tool allows you to calculate the distance on the map or to get the size of a parcel.

If you are trying to measure the boundaries of an individual parcel, select the Measure Tool and double click on the parcel. The boundary of the parcel will be automatically drawn with the correct dimensions and area without having to worry about getting the corners exactly right by hand.

To start measuring, select Measure and click on the map in the area you want to set as a start point for calculation. Then add more points by clicking the mouse thus having different shapes to measure: from simple line with start and end points to rectangle or any other shape you need. When the points are selected, double click on the first point to finish drawing on the map (or double click while pointing the last dot) and see the results of distance calculation.

To remove the shape and to start the measure again just click on Measure button one more time.

Save Map

If you need to download map image and then use it in your further work, use Save Map option: when Save Map is clicked, the map area is downloaded as an image (.png format), with all custom layers, flags and measure selections:

Map Base Layers

Map Base layers option includes 3 map types: flood to see a community's risk of flooding, aerials to activate satellite view with aerial photos, and default street option for common street map perspective. Select the one which is convenient for you:

Property Overlays flags

As in Search Area Reference Map option, the Property Overlays flags in Map Search are responsible for displaying the statuses of properties from real estate listings. Use check boxes to turn on and off the visibility of the MLS statuses of properties on the map (active, pending, sold, cancelled, and expired flags when available). The Foreclosures flag is responsible for showing the properties for which legal foreclosure process has been started.

The display of the properties status flags in Map browse → Property Overview can be also controlled both in the Property Overlays bar and in Map Layers → Points of Interest: uncheck the checkbox if you don’t want to see these statuses of the properties in Property Overlays or go to Map Layers and control the flags visibility in Parcel Annotation and Points of Interest settings:

Happy map searching! 🙂