Summary of Help Topics

1. Searching for Properties: On CLSLink several options are available to find properties
   1. Finding properties with the interactive map
   2. Advanced search
   3. Using text entry to focus the map and narrow your search
   4. Classic Search: Non-interactive map click through search
   5. MLS® Number Search
2. How to use the interactive map
   1. Map functions:
      1. Panning, Zooming and area selection
      2. Quick locations Picker: Use our index of place names to focus the map
      3. Hide and show the map
   2. Use the map to find properties within:
      1. Specific addresses
      2. Cities, towns and other names areas
      3. Postal code areas
      4. Business improvement areas
3. Results sorting and working with property results on the interactive map
   1. View options for the results list
      1. Hide map to view more results
      2. Viewing your search: List style, Sort Options, Results per Page option
      3. Narrowing search to show fewer results
      4. Using the photo browser to view multiple photos
4. Searching the REALTOR® Contact information
   1. Using the CLSLink REALTOR® search

Searching for Properties: On CLSLink several options are available to find properties

• Finding properties with the interactive map
  • See the 'Using the map to find properties within:' section
• Advanced Search
  • Using the advanced search you can search with as little or as much detail as you want.
  • To perform an advanced search select the 'Advanced Search' tab at the top of the center box on the home page
  • Select one of the three Transaction Types from the drop down menu (Any, Sale or Lease) by highlighting the transaction type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected transaction type.
  • Next, select a Property Type Classification from the open menu on the left. Only one classification can be selected at a time. If there are subtypes for this category a list will appear in the right side box in the Property Type section. Please select one of the subtypes.
  • If you have specific size requirements, enter the minimum and/or maximum square footage parameters into the appropriate boxes.
  • If you have specific monetary requirements, enter the minimum and/or maximum price/lease parameters into the appropriate boxes.
  • The only required field in the advance search is the 'Location'. Search by City/Town, Specific Address or Postal Code. You can also use the 'Quick Location Picker' located to the right of the search box, which provides you with a list of commonly searched locations and categories.
• Using text entry to focus the map and narrow your search
  • Text entry can be used to narrow the scope of the interactive map. See the 'Using the map to find properties within:' section
• Classic Search: Non-interactive map click through search
  • To use the classic search functions, click on 'Classic Search (Static Maps)' to the right of the 'Advanced Search' at the top of the search box on the home page
  • Select one the 12 regions in the open menu box to the left of the map, then the 'Continue' button. You can also select one of the 12 regions by clicking on the region label on the map.
  • In some cases you will be served a similar screen asking you to select a specific market within your selected region from the list of markets to the left of the map (eg. Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Gulf and Other Islands). Highlight your selection by clicking on the name and progress to the next page by clicking 'Continue'. You can also click directly on the appropriate label on the map.
  • Some markets give you the option to refine your search further, by selecting one or many sub-markets in the region.
    • To select one sub-market click on the name in the table, or the respective marker on the map.
    • To select more than one sub-market hold down the 'control' or 'option' key on the keyboard and select as many of the sub markets as you would like from the open menu list. Macintosh users use the 'Command/Apple' key instead.
    • Once you have selected your sub-markets click 'Continue'.
    • To select the entire area, click on the check box located below the open menu list and click 'Continue'.
  • On the next page, a list of details will appear.
  • If your location parameters need to be revised click 'change location selection' to the right of your location name jut below the 'Map Search: Find Properties:' headline
  • Select one of the 2 transaction types from the drop down menu (eg. For Sale or For Lease) by clicking on the double arrows on the right of the box and highlighting your selection. Highlight the transaction type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected transaction type.
    • This selection will change the options below to suit a lease or sale transaction specifically.
  • Select one of the rate/price ranges from the drop down menu by clicking on the double arrows on the right of the box and highlighting your selection. Highlight the rate/price range you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected rate/price range.
  • Next, select one of the property type categories from the drop down menu by clicking on the double arrows on the right of the box and highlighting your selection. Highlight the property type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected property type.
  • Finally, press 'Search Now' to retrieve your search results.
• MLS® Number Search
  • To search by MLS® # simply type the MLS® number (eg. V4017500) into the search box located in the top right corner of the page, then click 'SEARCH'.

How to Use the Interactive Map

Pan the map:

Panning is sliding the map in any of the four directions. Pan east, west, north or south.

• Click one of the 4 arrows in the circular compass at the top of the map
• Click and drag on the map: click map surface, and while holding down the mouse button, drag in the direction you wish to pan the map
• Use the arrow keys on your keyboard- click on the map to select, then click on one of the four arrow keys on your keyboard

Zooming the map (zooming in and out)

• 'Zooming in' to the map lowers your viewpoint and shows you less area but more detail (roads and individual properties)
  • Zooming in is represented by a '+' sign
• 'Zooming out' the map raises your viewpoint up in altitude to show you more area but less detail (cities/towns and clusters of properties)
  • 'Zooming out' is represented by a '-' sign

Ways to Zoom in/out:

• Use the + and - buttons on the left hand side of the blue map frame. Click once to zoom one level. Click and hold down to zoom continuously.
• Rotate the mouse wheel button toward you to zoom out or rotate the mouse button away from yourself to zoom in.
• Hold down ALT, and then double-click anywhere on the map. This centers the map on the area where you clicked.
• Double click on the map to zoom in. This also centers the map. Note: don't click on top of a property icon or property cluster icon.
• Right click on the map and use the menu to select Zoom in or Zoom out. Note: do not click on top of a property icon or property cluster icon. For Macintosh users, hold down the Control Key.

Draw a selection on the map and search within it

• Hold down the mouse wheel button, and then drag a box on the 2D map
• Hold down ALT, and then drag a box on the 2D map with the left mouse button.
• For Macintosh users, hold down the Control key.

Quick Locations Picker

The Quick location picker is located on the home page to the right of the Region Picker Map and below the Main Search Bar.

This tool can be used to quickly locate properties for sale, properties for lease, or both. Simply select the criteria that matches your search by clicking on the corresponding button at the top of the Quick Location Picker Box.

Next, define the geographic region for your search by clicking on the double arrows on the right side of the drop down menu. Choose between Major Cities in BC, BC Places from A- H, BC Places from H-P, BC Places from P-Z, BC Islands, Business Improvement Areas, or Top 10 Searches, by highlighting your selection with your mouse and clicking on it. The locations that match your selection will appear below. Then, select the area to search by clicking on the name.

Search Results:

• The total number of properties located will appear in the top left corner of the Map, above the navigation tools.
• The Blue Markers represent their locations on the map
• Below the map will be a list of the properties meeting your search criteria, including their listing number, the address and city, property class and square footage when the Line View setting is active. If using the Gallery View you will also see a summary of the property and photo.
• From the list, hover over the property with your mouse to see a pop up of the property, which includes a photo and other additional details.
• Click on the listing to return a full listing page for the property.
• You can also float your mouse over any of the Blue markers to view a list of the properties that meet your search criteria at that specific location.
• Zoom in on the map by pressing the '+' to narrow your list
• Zoom out on the map by pressing the '-' to expand your list
• Scroll around the map by clicking on the map with mouse and dragging it in any direction, or use one of the four arrows in the compass in the top left of the map.
• Use the 'Road', 'Aerial' and 'Labels' options at the top of the map to change your mapping preference. Simply click on the criteria you prefer. The map view in use will be marked with a small arrow below the name. You can select road or aerial, and choose to see labels on either one of those map types.

Hide and show the map

• To no longer see the map on the page click, 'HIDE MAP' in the top right corner of the search screen. This will fill the screen with a list of the properties that meet your search criteria.
• To turn the map back on, simply click 'SHOW MAP' in the top right hand corner.

Using the map to find properties within:

Specific addresses:

To retrieve a property list using a specific address:

• Enter the address, including street number, street name, street type, and city, into the 'Enter Location & Property Type' search box. (e.g. 23 Sample St., Victoria)
• Then, select one of the three Transaction Types from the drop down menu (Any, Sale or Lease) by highlighting the transaction type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected transaction type.
• Next, select one of the nine property type categories from the drop down menu by clicking on the double arrow to the right of the box. Only one property type can be selected at a time. Highlight the property type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected property type.
• Finally, press 'SEARCH'
• Your search results will appear on the map, represented by blue markers, and will also be listed below. To further narrow or refine your search drag and zoom in and out on the map. Click here to learn how. Notice the list below change to represent the properties that appear in your revised map frame.

Cities, towns and other named area:

To retrieve a property list using a city, town or other named area:

• Enter the name of the city, town or other named area into the 'Enter Location & Property Type' search box. (e.g. Whistler)
• Then, select one of the three Transaction Types from the drop down menu (Any, Sale or Lease) by highlighting the transaction type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected transaction type.
• To retrieve a property list using a specific address:Next, select one of the nine property type categories from the drop down menu by clicking on the double arrow to the right of the box. Only one property type can be selected at a time. Highlight the property type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected property type.
• To retrieve a property list using a specific address:Finally, press 'SEARCH'
• To retrieve a property list using a specific address:Your search results will appear on the map, represented by blue markers, and will also be listed below. To further narrow or refine your search drag and zoom in and out on the map. Click here to learn how. Notice the list below change to represent the properties that appear in your revised map frame.

Postal code areas:

To retrieve a property list using a postal code area:

• Enter postal code into the search box. (e.g. V5R 1T2)
  • To broaden your search, try entering in the first three characters in the postal code.
• Then, select one of the three Transaction Types from the drop down menu (Any, Sale or Lease) by highlighting the transaction type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected transaction type.
• Next, select one of the nine property type categories from the drop down menu by clicking on the double arrow to the right of the box. Only one property type can be selected at a time. Highlight the property type you would like to search for and click on the name. This will close the drop down menu and populate the box with your selected property type.
• Finally, press 'SEARCH'
• Your search results will appear on the map, represented by blue markers, and will also be listed below. To further narrow or refine your search drag and zoom in and out on the map. Click here to learn how. Notice the list below change to represent the properties that appear in your revised map frame.

Business Improvement areas:

• Once you have performed your initial geographic search, you can identify the business improvement areas in this area by select the Map Option: 'BIA Business Improvement Areas' in the bottom of the 'Modify Search' column to the left of the map.
• Selecting this will add a BIA Button to the map, representing the business improvement areas that exist in your search region.
• Hover your mouse over the tag to see the name of the BIA and click 'Search Properties Inside Business Improvement Area' to narrow your search to that area.

Results sorting and working with property results on the interactive map

• View options for the results list
  • Hide map to view more results
    • To no longer see the map on the page click, 'HIDE MAP' in the top right corner of the search screen. This will fill the screen with a list of the properties that meet your search criteria.
    • To turn the map back on, simply click 'SHOW MAP' in the top right hand corner.
  • Viewing your search: List style, Sort Options, Results per Page option
    • You can change your viewing options by using the three drop down menu at the top of the list section (located just below the map)
      • To sort your list, click the double arrow on the right side of the 'Sort By' drop down menu. This will reveal your options to sort by Price, City, Property Type or Size. Highlight your selection and click on it to close the drop down menu and see your sort preference populate the field.
      • You can set your preference for how many results are served on page by clicking on the double arrow on the right side of the 'Results/Page' drop down menu. This will reveal your options of 25, 40, 80 or all results per page. Highlight your selection and click on it to close the drop down menu and see your results preference populate the field.
      • To change your List Style, click the double arrow on the right side of the 'List Style' drop down menu. This will reveal your options for a Line or Gallery view. Highlight your selection and click on it to close the drop down menu and see your sort preference populate the field.
  • Narrowing search to show fewer results
    • To narrow your search results using property attributes use the 'Modify Search' menus in the column on the left side of the page.
    • To narrow your search results by refining your geographic coverage, simply zoom in on the map. For directions
  • Using the photo browser to view multiple photos
    • To view multiple photos for a listing, pull up the full listing page for the property by using the MLS# search, clicking on the listing from a list of search results, or by clicking on the listing pop up on the map.
    • On the right side of the listing you will see a photo box with arrows below it.
    • Use the side arrows to flip through the photos for the listing.
    • To increase the size of the photo click on the 'Larger Photo Viewer' button below the photo on the right. This will open up a larger viewing screen, which also allows you to flip through the photos using the side arrows in the center of the bar above the large photo.
      • To exit from the view and return to the listing page click on the 'CLOSE WINDOW' in the top right corner of the page.

Searching REALTOR® Contact Information - Using the CLSLink REALTOR® Search

• Click on the 'REALTOR?Search' option in the top menu bar on any page
• To search by first name, enter at least 1 character of the REALTORs first name in the 'First Name' box
  • This can also be left blank
• To search by last name, enter at least 1 character of the REALTORs last name in the 'Last Name' box
  • This can also be left blank
• To search by specialization, select one or multiple categories in the open menu list. To search for multiple categories at once, hold down the 'control' or 'option' key and click on the appropriate categories. Macintosh users use the 'Command/Apple' key
• To search by location, click on the double arrows on the right side of the 'Location' drop down menu. Use your mouse the highlight the location and click on the preferred location to close the drop down menu and see your selection fill the field
• To find a REALTOR that offers services in languages in addition to English, click on the double arrows on the right side of the 'Additional Languages' drop down menu. Use your mouse the highlight the location and click on the preferred language to close the drop down menu and see your selection fill the field
• Click 'Search Now' to perform your search.