5 Tools You May Not Be Using From Your Public Records Product
If you have access to a property public records product, whether through an MLS member benefit or by purchasing it, chances are you might be overlooking some key tools that are right at your fingertips. It’s easy to get in the middle of churning out basic property reports and forget that prospecting, extensive map perspectives, valuations and so much more is easily accessible through this data-rich software. Our team is constantly working to connect you with our newest innovations and tools.
“During our trainings across the country, we constantly hear from agents who are surprised and downright excited to learn that the CRS Data MLS Tax Suite can make their life so much easier by tapping into tools they didn’t know existed,” said Sara Cooper, director of customer experience for CRS Data. “Rarely does someone leave without discovering a new feature.”
So before you login to your public records product again, take some time to review a few select features you might not know existed:
-
The Prospecting Section
This area, most often accessible as a stand-alone section, is simple to use and easily generates mailing lists for postcard marketing. Your list should be easily updated based on area, and active listings can be removed for any specified time to create a refined mailing list. You can export your list to Excel and you should also be able to start printing on any chosen label on a used sheet.
-
The Drawing Tool
If you need to view the distance between properties or even the distance from a property to a flood zone, the drawing tool (consult your provider to identify your specific tool name if not using the MLS Tax Suite by CRS Data) will be your best friend. Just navigate to a map view and use this tool to quickly view latitude, longitude and area and distance measurements.
-
Pulling Comparables (From a Starting Address or Map View)
We’ve found that while our comparables section is used quite often, most agents start with a specific property address, which is absolutely fine. But you also have the option of starting from a map view and using a shape tool to pull all comparable properties for a specific area. With just a few clicks you can set your borders and the system will pull properties for simplified review, even allowing you to delete outliers and refine your results.
-
Map Layers
The Map Layers section should quickly become your go-to spot for mining data and exploring listings. This area is rich in public records information, all of which is viewed from a simplified map perspective. Here, you should be able to view recent sales and specify your view by history (for example, sales in the past six months) and turn off and on current listings. You can refine this section in-depth, making it an invaluable tool when viewing listings and comps.
-
Refined Values Tool
This section makes it possible to enter the details of a home renovation or update and create an estimated value based on local renovation data. This can be incredibly helpful for clients who made updates to their home or are considering a renovation before selling. The data can then be used to accurately update your comparable listing.
In addition to these useful public records tools, be sure to explore your demographics section and the facts and figures data. These areas often provide access to data that can bring peace-of-mind or that added level of knowledge to your reports that can be so appreciated by clients. Our team is always available to discuss new solutions and tools that make property data so valuable.