One of the most important tools we have created at Meyer Computer, Inc. is our Value Added Maui IDX. Of course there is a search tool that allows prospective buyers to find great real estate on Maui based on their own particular criteria. But, are you aware of all the other great features built into our Value Added Maui IDX? In order to provide your clients with the best possible experience on your website, here is a breakdown of our features.
The heart of any IDX is the ability to search for properties. We offer two main ways to do this. Our standard Search Formand our Map Search. |
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[Demo] Search Form
The IDX Search Form is the most versatile way for your clients to find the properties they are interested in. Not only can they narrow the search as tightly as they like, but also they can sort the results specifically with both a primary sort field and a secondary sort field. Additionally, if you would like a simpler form, you can remove unwanted sections, and limit property types as you see fit. For example, if you only work with Maui Homes and Condos, your search form can be set to show only those options.
When your client performs a search for properties meeting their specified criteria, they then get a list view of ten to twenty properties at a time. If your client would like to change the sort, there is an icon labeled "Change Sort" that allows them to change both the primary and secondary sorts.
Also in list view, there is an icon labeled "Show Map." This useful tool brings up an interactive map that shows the locations of the properties on your list. When each property mark is scrolled over, they will see the address of that particular property. They can alternate between the regular map view, satellite view, and hybrid view.
[Demo] Search Maui Real Estate by Map
An additional way to search is by map. From the Search by Map page your clients can define their search criteria, then perform their search and have all the results plotted on a map. They can then zoom in, see where the properties are located, and click on any property for more information and pictures.
[Demo] Full View
From the Maui Map Search, or the List View, you can click on any property to get to Full View, where there are many helpful options available. You can easily get back to List or Map View, or move to the next or previous property in your search.
A "Share Info" button allows the client to e-mail the property information to a friend. They can also request More Info, which sends an email to you. There are also buttons for a "Print View," and a button to add the property to your wish list. (More on that later.) The globe icon labeled "Show Map" appears here too, and maps the individual property being viewed.
[Demo] Maui Area Information
We at Meyer Computer have spent a considerable amount of time and effort developing our "Area Information" feature. Our Maui Information has long been one of the most visited parts of our clients web sites. We have now integrated that database into our value added IDX.
Seeing as many of those in the market for property on Maui are from the mainland, it would be prudent to provide them with convenient ways to explore what locations of interest lie near the properties that they are interested in. That's why we built our new Area Information feature.
From the Full View you can choose to show area information within 1, 5, or 10 miles, then with the click of a mouse show the names and locations of Schools, Churches, Restaurants, Parks & Beaches, and Arts & Culture.
Another convenient aspect of our Area Information feature is that when you use the map tool to look at individual properties, there are also buttons at the top of the map screen representing the aforementioned areas of interest. For example, if you click the restaurants button, green dots will appear on the map, indicating the location of nearby restaurants. Scrolling over each dot will reveal the name of the restaurant.
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Churches |
Restaurants |
Parks & Beaches |
Arts & Culture |
[Demo] Mortgage & Amortization Calculator
Another very useful tool is the Mortgage Calculator which appears in the individual property view. Your client enters the interest rate, down payment, and number of years in the mortgage loan. They are then presented with the loan amount as well as the number and amount of monthly payments over the lifetime of the loan. No doubt you have seen many of these, but what makes ours particularly helpful is the Amortization Calculator that is included.
Once a mortgage is calculated, a button appears for the amortization calculator. In addition to a standard amortization table the amortization calculator allows your clients to perform prepayment calculations including monthly or one time principle only payments. Tables are calculated, showing your client how the prepayments would change the cost of the loan. These include information on what monthly payments would cost, what the total interest would be, how much money would be saved in interest, and how much shorter the loan period would be.
[Demo] Maui Real Estate Statistics
The Latest Stats Tool, which appears below the calculators, shows real estate stats based on the selected property. This includes the number, average, median and volume in sales of properties of the same type in the same area, such as residential Haiku properties, for example. The stats cover homes, land and condos.
[Demo] Hawaii Real Estate Glossary
Last but certainly not least is our most recent addition to the IDX, which we mentioned in last month's newsletter: The Real Estate Glossary. The glossary item appears in your menu, of course, and glossary terms can be browsed through, but the best part is that this glossary tool will filter remarks, such as those in MLS listings, and will underline terms that exist in the glossary. When a user scrolls over those terms, the definition will pop up. This is particularly useful in the case of those that aren't familiar with Hawaii real estate terms such as "Ohana."
[Demo] Login Features
Probably one of the coolest features of our value added IDX is the ability for your clients to create a login, so they can save searches, favorite properties, and get Flash emails based on their searches.
[Demo] Saved Searches and Flash Emails
Once they create a login, your clients can save their searches. Then, when they return to your website, instead of filling out the search form, they can go straight to their saved searches and view the results. Once they have a saved search, then can turn on Flash Email updates for that search. They will then get emails that match those search criteria, going back for seven days. The Flash Emails can be set to daily or weekly.
[Demo] Wish List
Also available if your clients are logged in, is the ability to save specific properties to a wish list. From the Full View, there is a heart icon labeled "Wish List." Clicking this icon will allow your clients to add the property to their wish list. They can give the item a name, add some notes about the property, and rate the property.
At any time they can go to their Wish List to see what properties they have listed here. They can sort by price, date added, or rating. From the wish list they can easily change the ratings, see the date on which they added it, the list price is shown, or go direct to the full view for that property. They can print or email a property, or the entire list. For example, once they have their list of favorites, they can just click Email List to send the list to you.
Also available from the Wish List is an icon labeled "Suggest." This lets your clients perform a property search based on the criteria of that property. When clicked a window will display information on the property such as location, number of bathrooms, land area etc. There are check boxes next to all info categories like these, which, when selected, will be the guidelines for finding other properties that match the same criteria. If a listing is no longer active, there will be a notice in the wish list where the property used to be indicating this.
Full Overview
