What are Mapping and Lifestyle Search Tools?

We decided to combine mapping and lifestyle search tools into a single category in our 2013 Technology Guide because they serve a similar very important purpose: enhancing real estate search. This benefits brokers and MLSs by improving user experience on their consumer-facing websites. It also benefits property searchers, who can more easily and enjoyably find the right property.

Questions to Ask

There are some important questions to ask when buying any real estate technology product and some that are unique to choosing a mapping or lifestyle search product.

First, let's look at general questions you'll want to ask.

• What are my objectives for this piece of technology and will this product help me achieve those objectives?
• What is my budget?
• Does my MLS or Association have any agreements with any vendors that might help me obtain this product at a discount or for free?
• What kind of customer service and training programs are available? Are there webinars and, if so, are they recorded so you can view them at any time? Is the vendor's online help sufficient?

After you've asked and answered these questions, you can get down to the mapping or lifestyle search-specific questions:

• Will this solution be able to access MLS data? Where does the data come from.
• How difficult will this solution be to add to my website?
• Will the listing display and lifestyle information conform to MLS rules and regulations for IDX and VOW websites?
• Is the vendor using the free version of the mapping software or are they using an enterprise license? (FYI – Google Maps comes in both a free and enterprise version, the free version does not have update support, among other things).
• Will visitors stay on my website when using this solution or will they be sent to an external site?

Your Options

For more information on these options, download our 2013 Technology Guide.

• Active Parcels: GeoJet's Active Parcels provides property information for every parcel in your market area. This includes address, boundary lines, property dimensions, land use designations, and a variety of valuable reports (on taxes, demographics, school, aerial map, and more).

• Lifestyle Search Engine: From Onboard Informatics, this tool allows visitors to your website to search for a home based on the things that really matter to them (schools, recreational activities, transportation, and more). The solution can be layered over existing IDX search or paired with Onboard's Listings Search Engine and is hosted on Onboard's secure servers.

Next Steps

• Download the 2013 Technology Guide
• Read articles about mapping and lifestyle search
• Visit the lifestyle search section of our product directory
• Ask your MLS or Association
• Contact the vendors above