Search for Homes Tools

SpatialMatch and Quick Search

We have two different search systems for visitors to use. One is called SpatialMatch and it is map-based. This means you can do a search using a mouse or a pointing device (device class including trackpoints and trackballs). In other words you don’t have to use the keyboard. However it only works on desktops, laptops and Android mobile devices since it requires Flash and Java. You cannot install Flash or Java on Apple mobile devices. So Apple mobile device users will not see the map but it will display a “fill in the fields” screen. We call this Quick Search.

The other system is called Power Search and it has been on the website for over ten years. It’s simple and easy to use especially if you’re interested in finding a home in a Portland neighborhoods or a surrounding communities like Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, etc. We do not put Power Search on any of the menus as it is restricted to users who have used it and don’t want to use the newer technology. You can access Power Search at http://search.movingtoportland.net — if you like Power Search make certain you bookmark it and understand that it will be removed from this website in the near future.

SpatialMatch

SpatialMatch® is a real-time interactive geo-spatial search platform that delivers a totally new way to search for real e

state online. Every aspect of the search process is conducted on the map, creating a fluid user experience.

Through the innovative Lifestyle Search System, you can visually see the relational perspective between all things important in your real estate decision making process. SpatialMatch is embedded into the Moving to Portland®  website and gives consumers a way to research all aspects of areas and neighborhoods including a lifestyle search that helps you create a file of what’s important in your day-to-day life. For example, if you want to live in a specific school district, they can select and search for homes using that as a choice. If you want to live within 10 miles of your work, you can enter that address and any others as custom addresses and include them in the search. Or if you want to stop at a coffee shop every morning and want it within a certain number of miles of their home, you can choose that as well.

SpatialMatch has over 125 different databases feeding information into the matches and continues to integrate new data monthly. The Portland metro area multi-list system (RMLS) has an IDX agreement with SpatialMatch®, that allows the Moving to Portland site to populate area listings within those geographic ranges based on the consumer’s selected lifestyle choices.

The platform is built on deep levels of data, including for-sale homes, historic ‘sold’ data, 60+ million not-for-sale houses, 130,000+ schools and universities, 12+ million businesses, demographics and statistical data, and much more.

Support for SpatialMatch Using a Mobile Device and Desktop Browser

Note that the map will not display on most common browsers (e.g., Safari, Chrome, Opera) on mobile devices such as an iPhone and iPad as most mobile devices do not support Flash and Java. Also the Firefox browser will not display the map on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Android devices may work if configured with Flash and Java.

Instead of the map displaying you will be presented with a text-based search tool where you can search by neighborhood, city or zip code(s) along with other parameters.

Browsers such as Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Internet Explorer will display the SpatialMatch map on desktops and laptops.

There are some Web browsers that you can download from the Apple iTunes store that display the map.

  • Puffin Web Browser supports flash player on the iPad and iPhone. With the help of cloud servers, Puffin Web Browser brings the desktop web browsing experience to tablets and smartphones. It renders the full versions of Web pages quickly and reliably and also supports Flash with solid performance on iPads and iPhones. You can download it free from the Apple iTunes store. Over 700 reviews with a four star rating.
  • Photon is a Web browser with Flash capability designed to enhance your browsing experience on the iPad and iPhone. Photon browser  excels in its Flash support on both Apple and Android devices. You can view flash contents on these devices by pressing Lightning Bolt Button. Photon browser enables you set bandwidth 3 or 5 for sharper resolution, 6 for higher frame rates and 1 if you have a slower network or device. Photon Browser allows you to play Flash games such as free Facebook games, use Flash apps, listen to music streamed via Flash player and watch Flash video.
This browser supports Flash websites that would otherwise not display on the iPad/iPhone and get latest Adobe Flash player support. You can download Photon from the Apple iTunes store at a cost of $3.99.  Over 1,400 reviews with a four star rating.

Links to Searches Using SpatialMatch

  • Search for Homes
  • Homes for Sale in the Portland Metro Area
  • Short Sale/Bank Owned
  • New Construction
  • Green Certified Homes for Sale
  • Open Houses
  • Video Tutorial

Other Information

On each neighborhood profile page we have set up different searches that will display the homes currently for sale in the neighborhood. Each of the searches will notify you of what devices are capable of displaying the homes. The zip code search will work on any device.

Making Certain You Receive New Listings

Add [email protected] or [email protected]t to your email address book if you elect to open an account (only name, email address, and user name/password required) have new listings sent to you as this will ensure that your email provider will always recognize messages from us.

Creating an Account

Setting up an account allows you full access to all the features of our LifeStyle Home Search, including customized mapping, saved searches and personal preferences. When new homes come on the market that match the parameters in your saved searches you will receive an email alert about the listing.

Other Information

  • Click here to view a video tutorial about the SpatialMatch Search system.
  • To determine a property exposure to landslides and earth quakes, insert the address of the property into the LIDAR system.
  • Your feedback about the SpatialMatch system is welcome by emailing [email protected].

Need a Realtor?

If you are currently working with a Realtor, I suggest you contact him or her to view any home listing you find using our Search for Homes tools. If you are not working with a Realtor, I can assist you in finding and purchasing a home.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.