Effective Property Search

Master the property search API to find the perfect matches for your clients quickly and efficiently.

Basic Search Strategies

Start Broad, Then Narrow

Begin with general criteria and refine based on results:

# Step 1: Search by location
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?city=Twin%20Falls"

# Step 2: Add price range after seeing initial results
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?city=Twin%20Falls&min_price=200000&max_price=400000"

# Step 3: Add bedrooms/bathrooms
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?city=Twin%20Falls&min_price=200000&max_price=400000&min_beds=3"

This approach helps you understand available inventory before being too restrictive.

Use Spatial Search for Location Flexibility

Instead of limiting to a single city, search by radius:

# Find all properties within 10 miles of Twin Falls center
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
center_lat=42.5569&\
center_lng=-114.4602&\
radius_miles=10"

Tip

Spatial search often reveals properties in adjacent areas that clients wouldn’t have considered by name alone.

Advanced Filtering Techniques

Combining Filters Effectively

Stack filters to create precise searches:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
city=Jerome&\
min_price=250000&\
max_price=450000&\
min_beds=3&\
min_baths=2&\
property_type=Residential&\
status=Active&\
sort_by=list_price&\
sort_order=asc"

Property Type Filtering

Use specific property types to match client needs:

Type	Use For
Residential	Single-family homes, townhomes
Land	Vacant lots, acreage
Commercial	Business properties

# Find land for development
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
property_type=Land&\
min_price=50000&\
max_price=200000&\
city=Rupert"

Status-Based Searches

Search by listing status for different client scenarios:

# Recently sold comparables
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
status=Sold&\
city=Burley&\
sort_by=sold_date&\
sort_order=desc"

# Under contract properties (backup offers)
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
status=Pending&\
city=Twin%20Falls"

Spatial Search Best Practices

Bounding Box vs. Radius

Bounding Box

Best for: Map-based interfaces, rectangular areas

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
min_lat=42.5&max_lat=43.0&\
min_lng=-114.5&max_lng=-114.0"

Pros:

• Matches visible map viewport
• No distance calculations needed
• Fast queries

Cons:

• May include corners far from center
• Irregular coverage area

Radius

Best for: “Near me” searches, specific distance requirements

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
center_lat=42.5569&\
center_lng=-114.4602&\
radius_miles=5"

Pros:

• Precise distance control
• Circular coverage area
• Results include distance

Cons:

• Slightly slower queries
• Requires center point

Sort by Distance

When using radius search, sort by proximity:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
center_lat=42.622&\
center_lng=-113.68&\
radius_miles=10&\
sort_by=distance_miles&\
sort_order=asc"

This shows closest properties first, perfect for “properties near X” requests.

Finding Comparable Properties

Use the nearby endpoint for instant comps:

# Find properties near a specific listing
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties/98970171/nearby?\
radius_miles=1&\
limit=10"

When to use:

• Preparing CMAs (Comparative Market Analysis)
• Finding similar properties for clients
• Analyzing neighborhood pricing

Customize the radius:

• Rural areas: 5-10 miles
• Suburban areas: 1-3 miles
• Urban areas: 0.5-1 mile

Pagination Strategies

Browsing Inventory

For general browsing, use moderate page sizes:

# Show 20 properties per page (default)
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?city=Twin%20Falls&page=1"

# Navigate to page 2
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?city=Twin%20Falls&page=2"

Bulk Data Retrieval

For exporting or analyzing large datasets:

# Get maximum properties per request
curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
city=Twin%20Falls&\
page_size=100&\
page=1"

Caution

Large page sizes are slower. Only use page_size=100 when you need to retrieve many properties at once.

Sorting Strategies

For Buyers

# Cheapest first
sort_by=list_price&sort_order=asc

# Newest listings first
sort_by=list_date&sort_order=desc

# Largest homes first
sort_by=sqft&sort_order=desc

For Market Analysis

# Days on market (longest first)
sort_by=days_on_market&sort_order=desc

# Recently sold
sort_by=sold_date&sort_order=desc

Common Search Scenarios

First-Time Homebuyers

Budget-conscious, starter homes:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
city=Jerome&\
min_price=150000&\
max_price=250000&\
min_beds=2&\
min_baths=1&\
property_type=Residential&\
sort_by=list_price&\
sort_order=asc"

Growing Families

More space, suburban areas:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
city=Twin%20Falls&\
min_beds=4&\
min_baths=2&\
min_sqft=2000&\
property_type=Residential&\
status=Active"

Land Investors

Acreage opportunities:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
property_type=Land&\
min_price=50000&\
max_price=500000&\
sort_by=lot_size_acres&\
sort_order=desc"

Downsizing Retirees

Low maintenance, smaller homes:

curl "https://api.your-domain.com/api/properties?\
city=Burley&\
max_beds=2&\
min_baths=1&\
property_type=Residential&\
max_sqft=1500&\
sort_by=list_price&\
sort_order=asc"

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Results

If searches return zero results:

1. Remove filters one by one to find which constraint is too restrictive
2. Expand price range — tight budgets may exclude inventory
3. Increase search radius — rural areas need larger search areas
4. Check property type — ensure you’re not filtering out valid matches

Too Many Results

If searches return thousands of results:

1. Add price constraints — most clients have budget limits
2. Narrow location — use specific cities or smaller radius
3. Add bedroom/bathroom minimums — reflect actual client needs

Stale Data

Listings change frequently:

• Active listings — Updated hourly from MLS
• Price changes — Reflected within 1 hour
• Status changes — Updated in real-time

If data seems outdated, contact your admin about sync status.

Related

• Properties API Reference — Full endpoint documentation
• Search API — Semantic search capabilities
• Effective Search Queries — Using semantic search