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Use Semantic Search Effectively

Semantic search lets you find properties by describing what you’re looking for in plain English. This guide shows you how to write queries that get the best results.

Quick Start

Section titled “Quick Start”

  1. Navigate to the search page

    Click the search icon in the main navigation or press Ctrl+K / Cmd+K.

  2. Type your query naturally

    Describe what you want as if explaining to a friend:

    “Modern kitchen with granite countertops and island”

  3. Review results

    Properties are ranked by similarity score (0.8+ = excellent match).

  4. Refine if needed

    Add more details or adjust wording to improve matches.

Writing Effective Queries

Section titled “Writing Effective Queries”

Be Descriptive

Section titled “Be Descriptive”

Instead of vague:

"3 bed house"

Try descriptive:

"Spacious 3 bedroom family home with updated kitchen and large backyard"

Why: Semantic search understands features and context. Generic queries get generic results.

Mention Lifestyle

Section titled “Mention Lifestyle”

Instead of specs:

"4 bedrooms, 2000 sqft"

Try lifestyle:

"Perfect for entertaining with open floor plan and outdoor patio"

Why: The system finds properties that feel right for entertaining, even if they’re described differently.

Include Negatives

Section titled “Include Negatives”

Tell the system what you don’t want:

"Single family home with yard, no HOA fees, not a townhouse"

Why: Helps filter out properties with deal-breakers.

Combine Features

Section titled “Combine Features”

Use “AND” to require multiple features:

"Mountain views AND granite countertops AND 3-car garage"

Why: Narrows results to properties matching all criteria.

Search Tips by Scenario

Section titled “Search Tips by Scenario”

Be Descriptive

Instead of “3 bed house,” try:

“Spacious 3 bedroom family home with updated kitchen”

More details = better matches

Mention Lifestyle

Describe how clients will use the space:

“Perfect for entertaining” “Great for working from home” “Low maintenance yard”

Include Negatives

State what to avoid:

“No HOA fees” “Not a townhouse” “Away from busy roads”

Combine Features

Require multiple attributes:

“Mountain views AND granite AND 3-car garage”

All conditions must be met

Example Queries

Section titled “Example Queries”

Feature-focused:

  • “Modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless appliances”
  • “Open floor plan with lots of natural light and vaulted ceilings”
  • “Master suite with walk-in closet and updated bathroom”
  • “Large backyard perfect for dogs and kids”

Lifestyle-focused:

  • “Family home with good schools nearby and safe neighborhood”
  • “Perfect for entertaining with outdoor space and open layout”
  • “Cozy cottage with mountain or valley views”
  • “Great for working from home with dedicated office space”
  • “Move-in ready with modern updates and low maintenance”

Combining with Filters

Section titled “Combining with Filters”

Use semantic search alongside traditional filters for best results. Semantic describes what you want; filters enforce hard limits.

  1. Set filter boundaries

    Choose non-negotiable criteria:

    • Price: $300k - $500k
    • Bedrooms: 3+
    • City: Twin Falls
    • Property type: Single-family

  2. Add semantic query

    Describe desired features:

    "modern kitchen with island and granite countertops"

  3. Get combined results

    Properties must match ALL filters AND be ranked by semantic similarity.

Example search:

Filters: $300k-$500k, 3+ beds, Twin Falls
Query: "Modern kitchen with island, large backyard, mountain views"

Result: All properties are in your price range, have 3+ bedrooms, and are in Twin Falls. They’re sorted by how well they match your semantic query, with properties having all three features ranking highest.

Understanding Similarity Scores

Section titled “Understanding Similarity Scores”

Results include a similarity score (0-1) showing how well each property matches your query:

Score RangeMatch QualityWhat It Means
0.8 - 1.0ExcellentProperty description closely matches your query
0.6 - 0.8GoodSolid match, most features present
0.4 - 0.6ModerateSome matching features, worth reviewing
Below 0.4WeakFew similarities, likely not a good fit

How to use scores:

  • Start with 0.6+ for first showings
  • Expand to 0.4-0.6 if inventory is limited
  • Ignore below 0.4 unless desperate for options

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Section titled “Common Mistakes to Avoid”

Mistake 1: Using Numbers in Queries

Section titled “Mistake 1: Using Numbers in Queries”

Don’t do this:

"3 bedrooms under $400k in Twin Falls"

Why: Semantic search isn’t optimized for exact numbers. Use filters instead.

Do this:

Filters: 3 beds, $0-$400k, Twin Falls
Query: "Open floor plan with updated fixtures"

Mistake 2: Being Too Vague

Section titled “Mistake 2: Being Too Vague”

Weak query:

"nice house"

Why: Every listing agent describes their property as “nice.” No differentiation.

Better query:

"Spacious entertaining areas with natural light and outdoor patio"

Why: Specific features that not all homes have. Creates clear ranking.

Mistake 3: Overthinking It

Section titled “Mistake 3: Overthinking It”

Unnecessarily complex:

"I need a property that has been constructed within the last decade featuring contemporary architectural styling with energy-efficient systems"

Simpler and better:

"Modern home built after 2015 with energy-efficient upgrades"

Why: Conversational language works best. Avoid formal or overly technical phrasing.

Troubleshooting Poor Results

Section titled “Troubleshooting Poor Results”

Too Many Results?

Section titled “Too Many Results?”

Add more details:

  • Instead of “updated kitchen,” try “modern white kitchen with quartz countertops and subway tile backsplash”

Use filters:

  • Narrow by price, location, beds to reduce the pool

Too Few Results?

Section titled “Too Few Results?”

Broaden your query:

  • Instead of “chef’s kitchen with Wolf appliances,” try “updated kitchen with high-end appliances”

Remove negatives:

  • Take out “no HOA” or “not a townhouse” temporarily to see what’s available

Wrong Types of Properties?

Section titled “Wrong Types of Properties?”

Add property type filter:

  • Explicitly set “Single-family” or “Condo” filter

Clarify with negatives:

  • Add “not a mobile home” or “not a townhouse” to your query

Pro Tips

Section titled “Pro Tips”

Tip 1: Search Like Your Client Talks

Section titled “Tip 1: Search Like Your Client Talks”

Listen to how clients describe their dream home, then use their exact language in your search.

Example:

Client says: “We want something with character and charm, not one of those cookie-cutter tract homes.”

Your search: “unique home with character and charm, original features, not a subdivision”

Tip 2: Iterate on Good Matches

Section titled “Tip 2: Iterate on Good Matches”

Find a property your client loves? Copy phrases from its description into your next search to find similar homes.

Example: Client loves listing described as “charming craftsman with original woodwork.” Search for “charming craftsman with original details” to find similar properties.

Tip 3: Use “Vision” for Visual Matching

Section titled “Tip 3: Use “Vision” for Visual Matching”

If your client shows you a photo saying “I want something like this,” use the Vision Analysis feature to search by image instead of text.

Section titled “Related Documentation”

Understanding semantic search:

Need API details?