|
myREalert Tutorial
|
Coldwell Banker Northern California
Folsom Office
|
You are about to experience perhaps the easiest and most powerful search engine every offered ... myREalert. It pulls home sale information from all MLS brokers, not just Coldwell Banker, directly from MLS and it's updated hourly!
The name says it all ... this Real Estate search alerts you to new homes or market changes that match your criteria. It is as helpful to buyers and investors to find properties for purchase as it is for home sellers to follow current market activity. Unlike other search engines or sites, your personalized "myREalert" search engine constantly updated throughout the day (most engines upload only once in the early morning). You will not be limited to the number of searches you create. As you become more familiar with some of the unique features (see Search Tips below), you'll come to find searching for the right home, at the right price in the neighborhood you really want can be hassle-free, easy, fun and most important, productive.
Here’s how to get started. (Hint: you might want to print this page for reference; at first glance, the search criteria can be a bit overwhelming. Or, call me at 960-7300 and I will help.)
Click on the the Learn More! link at the top of the page below “myREalert Sign-In”
- If you have not previously entered, follow the "New Users - Register Now" or click on “Sign-Up”. Please note: you need only to include your name and email in the fields provided...all other information is optional and you can 'opt-out' at any time.
- Enter your full email address, then complete the information on the subsequent page. Note you may choose to enter an alternate log-in name or even a password at the bottom of the form. Then click on "Submit".
Submitting the form will take you to the "Property Search" page. Here you’ll see that you can choose to search by many factors … but before you get started, here’re a few pointers
- Before you begin your search, enter a name for your saved search in the top field, something like "Folsom Below $500K";
- If you know the area you’d like to live, scroll down to the “Area” field on the left, then click on the city (or multiple cities by Ctrl+Click);
- You may wish to continue by adding the Listing Price parameters. Tip: Because home selling prices are about 94-97% of listing price, you might want to put your top level just a bit higher. This way, you’ll see homes that might be within your higher price range following negotiations.
- If you are only interested in a single family residence (not a condo), locate “Property Subtype” and click on “1 House on Lot”;
- As you scroll down the page you can add additional criteria that will make your search more productive because you’ll be receiving only the properties that match your expectations;
- As you narrow your search, look to the upper right hand of the page and note that the number of properties meeting your search is updated in real time, a very helpful feature;
- Scrolling further down the page, you’ll see it’s even possible to search for properties by using other search filters. For example, if you wish to purchase your home within a 5 mile radius of your work address, expand on the form “Perform Vicinity Search”, enter your information and then click on the “Refresh Count” button to see how many properties are available (upper right hand corner).
- The next time you return to www.myREalert.com/BudBarnes, or to the website, simply log on at the top of the page with your User Name and Password. Or, you can enter using the "myREalert" navigation link on the left and enter as a "Returning User" with your User Name and Password.
(For additional tips, see below.)
Searching for your home should be an exciting adventure, not a frustrating experience. At any time you would like me to ‘talk’ you through the search set-up, please give me a call at 916-960-7300 .
Search Tip #1 – Take a Balloon Ride. View properties of interest from 4 different aerial views. Then, ‘pull-out’ using the (-) and see surrounding areas, parks, street access, shopping, etc. Use the ‘hybrid’ view to see an overlay of street names from a satellite view – you can ‘click-hold’ the mouse to pan in any direction of the map.
Search Tip #2 – Choose Amenities. Did you know you could specify amenities like granite kitchen counters, jetted tubs in the master, pool/no pool, even flooring materials for your dream home? Click on “Create Search”, then scroll down and expand (+) ‘Special Features’. Here you’ll find everything from energy saving features options to roof description. As you add filters, you’ll see that the number of available homes will appear in the upper right hand corner under “Properties that match your search”.
Search Tip #3 – Try the Map Feature. Click on “Create Search” and scroll down to “Perform A Map Search”. Follow steps under item 2, click on the general area of interest, then release and define the area, then click again. You can then further narrow the area by repeating the process. Click “Add to Search” at the bottom and complete your other criteria (price limit, number of bedrooms, etc.) in the upper part of the form. Be sure to give you search a name. As you define your search criteria, the number of available homes will appear in the upper corner under “Properties that match your search”.
Search Tip #4 - Find Bank Repos. Looking for a below-market value property? Likely it’s a bank repossession or bank repo or what’s known in the business as a bank REO. Begin by clicking on “Create New Search”, then name your search, something like, “Folsom Repo”. Then, scroll down to “Area” and select “10630 – Folsom & Vicinity”. Scroll down further and expand the link “Special Features”. Scroll down near the bottom of the forms page and locate “Existing Financing” on the lower-right, then highlight “REO”. Be sure to watch for the number of available homes that will appear in the upper corner under “Properties that match your search”. Then click “Search”. Your search will be logged into your account the next time you visit your site and any updates will be automatically entered.
|