Saturday, 08/30/08 12:55 AM
|
Saturday, 08/30/08 12:55 AM |
 |
|
Member Services : COCIE : Features & Benefits : Sometimes, Less is More Sometimes, Less is More
Less is always more when making a property match. You'll recall that when you're adding a new listing to the database, the first step is to check whether we already have the building on our database. We're currently tracking almost 13,500 commercial properties in the Columbus metro market. Why go through all the effort to create a new building when you don't have to? When you're looking for a matching property on the CDX, it's always better to be less specific in your search. The only MUST FILL field is tinted blue. For example, if you have a new listing at 800 N High Street, the only field that you MUST fill in during your search request is "High." To you and me, 800 NORTH HIGH STREET is a clear match not only with 800 N High St and 800 N High Street but with 800 North High St as well. The database is more like RainMan. Because we don't spell out the words `North" or "Street" in the CDX, the database will see those addresses as four different buildings. The easiest way to avoid duplicating a property we have already researched is to put "400" and "High" in the search grid. SO, when you're checking for a property match -- Less is always More. Less is always more when searching for properties in the Universal search. When you just need to pull up one property in the CDX, the Universal search in the upper right hand corner of your home page is the simple way to do it. It's just like "googleing" the database, to coin a verb from a popular internet search engine. Again, if you type in 300 East Broad Street -- the database will tell you we don't have a match. Granted, if you type in only "Broad" you'll get too many matches to wade through. So, split the difference -- limit your query to "300" and "Broad" to target your property most efficiently. Finally, it's best to run your query a second time if you are prone to occasional bouts of "fat finger typing" as I am. No matter how many times you enter it, you'll never find a match for 300 East Broad Street. Remember, when you're searching a single property using the Universal search -- Less is always More. Less is almost always more when searching the database. You always have the option of being VERY specific when searching for available properties on the database. However, you don't want to miss a potential available property for your client just because someone else didn't fill in every single data field. Some examples: If your client needs a warehouse with at least 22 feet of clear height, fill in 22 in the minimum clearance field, but you do not need to specify a top range. If your client requires medical office space, by all means, specify. But if your client is looking for general office space, there's no need to qualify your search beyond "Office." When searching for sales or lease comparables, it's almost always better to set your parameters very broadly at first. After you become more familiar with the data, the way it's tracked and recorded, you will be able to be more specific in your queries. Otherwise, when searching for available properties in the CDX, and lease and sale comparables, Less is ALMOST always more. Less is almost always more in the keyword search. The keyword search is like doing a wildcard search of the database and very helpful when your searching for an odd property type or a very specific requirement. For example, you can type "Food Grade", "Freezer" or "Cooler" into the keyword slot in "The Search" to locate food grade warehouses. Oddlly, although I'm directing you to be very specific - try one word at a time, rather than an entire phrase like "Freezer- Cooler." The Keyword search can also be used to find Churches or daycare centers -- any of those slightly unusual properties. When you press "Search" the database will search the property comments, as well as comments in the building record. SO, again, you may come up with a few properties that are inappropriate, but sometimes More is More! For very specific geographies -- try the map search. As we mentioned last month, once you are familiar with map searching, you won't want to rely on any other geographies. You will want to create your own trade areas for every search! Finally, when taking training -- More is More! We have two CE credit classes per month in the computer lab at the Columbus Board of REALTORS® -- go to www.cocie.org to sign up. We also have online classes every Tuesday & Thursday through "Xceligent University" -- go to www.xceligent.com to sign up. For more help, you can always call our office at (614) 430-3343, Customer Care at (866) 303-2895, Angie Utz at (614) 537-0967 or Catherine Erney at (614) 202-7025. Watch for a brief survey, notice of which will be mailed to COCIE members in May, asking for your opinion on COCIE and its services.
Call Angie & Cat at 614.430.3343 to schedule a demonstration! We can give you the data and tools to achieve success. COCIE Membership |
|
|
|
|
[Home] [ REALTOR® - A registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For questions or comments about this site, please email us. |
By Catherine Erney
Calendar