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You have a number of ways of searching for homes. Here are the two common and simple ways of searching for homes at the Moving to Portland Web site:
The difference between the tools is that the Map Search tool allows you to "fill in" your home requirements and then select a geographic area from a metro area map. All the listings matching your criteria will be displayed.
Using the Neighborhood Search tool, you select the neighborhood where you would like to view listings from a menu of neighborhoods. Once you select a neighborhood, a map of the neighborhood will display with "home icons" being displayed for each listing. Click on the icon labeled, "View Properties in Detail" and all the listings will be displayed for the selected neighborhood. You can then view more details about those homes that interest you including photos.
There are other methods of searching: by city and Zip Code, by address, by school, and by the listing number.
Fly to a Home via Google Earth
You have found a home using the search tool and want to explore the neighborhood where the home is located. Using Google Earth, just insert the address and Google Earth will fly you to the exact street address. Now you're ready to learn more about the neighborhood just as what the other homes on the street look like, the tree canopy, parks, and commercials establishments.
Once at the address, you can fly down to the streets with the new Street View in Google Earth 6. To view street-level imagery for a specific location, zoom into an area at an altitude of approximately 500km.
You will see a pegman icon  appear at the top right below the navigation controls. Click and drag the icon across the 3D viewer. A blue border will appear around roads that have street-level imagery available. Drop the icon on a road with the blue border and you will enter Street View. While in Street View, all applicable layers that are selected in the left panel under Layers are also visible. Learn more about layers. You can navigate and rotate your view while in Street View mode by doing any of the following:
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Double click an area of the image with your mouse.
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Drag the imagery to the right or left with your mouse. In some locations, you can drag the imagery down to look skyward.
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Use the keyboard arrows.
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Use the scroll wheel of your mouse.
To exit Street View, select the Exit Street View button located at the top right. Street View is not available at all locations.
Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. Google Earth is free and you can download it at http://www.google.com/earth/index.html.
Database of Homes
The homes you find using the search tool include all homes currently for sale in the Portland metro area as listed in the Realtors Market Listing Service (RMLS™). This database of homes from RMLS™ is the same one that all Portland metro area realtors used to search for homes for their clients. You have access to current information as listings are updated approximately every 15-30 minutes.
Metro Mapping
The best source for current (U.S.A. Census) demographic data for Portland neighborhoods can be found at Portland Maps. You will have to know the address of a home within a neighborhood to obtain the census information. Information provided: neighborhood data, assessor/taxlot Information, aerial photos, elevation, schools, parks, zoning maps, water/sewer, and natural hazard.
Find Distance
You can determine the approximate driving time and distance in miles at the Google Map Web site from the address of a listing to another destination, such as downtown Portland. Use "SW Broadway & SW Yamhill" as a downtown address. This is the location of Pioneer Square, located in the heart of downtown Portland.
Public Transportation
Visit the Portland area regional transit system called TriMet and use their "Trip Tools" to determine public transportation (MAX Light Rail and Bus) routes and times. Just insert your starting address, destination address, and time you want to travel.
Schools
Each property will show the public schools (elementary, middle, high school) associated with the address. If the school is not shown on the listing, visit Portland Maps to determine the school(s). For help on evaluating a school, visit my Evaluate Schools page.
Sex Offenders
ORS 181.592 authorizes the Oregon State Police to make information about registered sex offenders available to the public. Information is only provided for sex offenders who have been designated as predatory, as provided in ORS 181.585, who have also been determined to present the highest risk of re-offending and to require the widest range of notification; or found to be a sexually violent dangerous offender under ORS 144.635.
Visit the public Web site at http://sexoffenders.oregon.gov. An address of a property is needed to complete a search.
Current Market Activity Reports for the Portland Metro Area
Altos Research analyzes current real estate activity. By current this means reports are only 3-4 days behind the current date whereas most other sources are at least 30-60 days behind.
Home Sales Records
Visit OregonLive to retrieve the home sales records in the Portland metro area for the last 18 months. All you need is a zip code and street. For the best search results, do not include the suffix when you enter a street name or direction (e.g., SW, NW, etc.). For example, if you are looking for a house on SW Main Street, enter "mail street" or just "main."
Thomas Guide
You may want to consider purchasing the "Thomas Guide - Portland Metro Area." It's a street guide and directory of the Portland area and it shows parks, colleges, neighborhoods, roads, etc. To order call (800) 899-6277 or visit the Thomas Guide Web site. You may be able to purchase or order the "Thomas Guide - Portland Metro Area" from your local book store.
Search for a 'Green" Home
 You can search for a 'green' home in the Search for Homes tool. To search for a green home, check the "Certified Green" box under the heading of "Residential Property Sub Categories." The detailed listing for a home will display the code for the type of certification the home has been awarded:
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EARTHAD (Earth Advantage).
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EN-STAR (Energy Star).
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LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design).
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STAR-AD (If a home is both Earth Advantage and Energy Star certified, it will display as STAR-AD).
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