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:

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.
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 keyword search box.
You can combine a filter search with keywords, or use the filters by themselves.
Use "the code": Everyone knows that Real Estate Agents use a constantly evolving code to say things about a property that need to be said without offending the seller. For example, a house that needs work might be described as "needs TLC or "has potential" . Its fun to spot a new Realtor code word and search on it to see what comes up.

4. Can I use search operators?

Yes, you can use most of the operators that work on regular Google. These include:

OR: "OR" is case sensitive (must be in CAPS), and you can use it to instruct our Search Engine to modify the 100% match rule. For example, the search single family near highway danbury OR stamford will return listings in both towns.
Exact Phrase Match: You can restrict your results to an exact phrase by using quotes. For example, " in-law apartment" will return a list of properties that you might want to think twice about.
Negative Terms: You can eliminate matches by subtracting keywords from your search. For example, wethersfield ct single family - "in-law apartment" will not return properties that include an in-law apartment.

5.What are my search result display options?

You can choose from three different search result display options:

Map+List (Default): Default setting returns a list of 25 properties and their map points on a Goggle map.
Map Only: Default setting returns up to 50 map points. Click a map point to see a summary before you go to the Property Detail Page. With up to 200 map points per page, this is a great way to see the geographical distribution of your search results.
List Only: Default returns 50 listings in a list style. Useful for low-bandwidth connections because it eliminates all the server calls for the Map data.

Once you choose a display option all of your searches will be displayed in that format.

The Search Engine is set to display a maximum of 1000 results and the maximum per page is 200.

6. Why are my search results missing from the Google Map?

The availability and accuracy of listings displayed on Google Maps is entirely dependant on the data we get from the various MLS feeds. If addresses are incorrect or missing either due to an error or by MLS policy, we cannot display a mp point.

7.Why is the Trulia and/or Zillow information missing ?

Just like with our Google Map integration, our ability to offer Trulia and/or Zillow information is dependant on the quality of the data we get from the MLS.

In addition, any mash up with a third party like Google, Trulia or Zillow depends on an Application Programming Interface (API) and the code we have written to leverage that API. Our Third Party partners may make changes to their API at any time that may impact our ability to share that information.

8. This site: A) Is Awesome or, B) Sucks out loud...Who do I tell?

We are among the first Real Estate organizations in the US to apply advanced Search Engine technology to the complete MLS listings for the area. We are also among the first "traditional" Real Estate organizations to incorporate information from sources like Trulia and Zillow, or to make Agents available to answer questions about properties right on the Property Detail page without asking you for personal information.

While we think all of that is pretty, pretty, pretty cool (apologies to Larry David), it is not perfect, and it never will be, so we welcome your suggestions for improvements or ideas for new features. Please either post a comment to our Blog, or drop an email to our Web Site Developer at info@mainrhode.com.

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