Creating a property search for your clients is one of the most powerful ways to stay top of mind and help them find their perfect home. Automated property alerts keep you engaged with buyers and renters while Mel continuously learns and refines recommendations based on their preferences.

Key Benefits

Automated Property Matching: Send relevant listings to clients automatically
Stay Top of Mind: Regular property alerts keep you front and center with buyers
Branded Communication: Property emails appear with your branding and contact info
Client App Integration: Searches appear on the client's personal search board in your app
AI-Powered Learning: Mel refines recommendations as she learns client preferences
Flexible Criteria: Start broad and tighten criteria over time
Buy or Rent Options: Set up searches for purchase or rental properties

Video

How to Create a Client Search

Step 1: Create and Name Your Search in the Client Profile

Create a search by navigating to the client, clicking their name, and opening the Client Profile. From here, scroll down to the 'Search & Listings' section, then select the 'Add Search' button.

Why naming matters:

The search name appears in branded email property alerts your client receives from you
It displays on their search board within the client app
Clear names help you manage multiple searches for the same client

Naming examples:

"Downtown Condo Search"
"Family Home in Suburbs"
"Investment Property Search"
"Beachfront Properties"

Tip: Use descriptive names that help both you and your client quickly identify the search purpose.

Step 2: Specify Search Location

Define where your client wants to search using one or multiple location types:

Location options:

Neighborhood: Target specific neighborhoods (e.g., "Pearl District," "Nob Hill")
City: Search entire cities (e.g., "Portland," "San Francisco")
ZIP Code: Search by specific ZIP codes for precise targeting

Multiple locations: You can add multiple locations to a single search. For example:

"Seattle and Bellevue, Washington"
"Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York"
"Austin and Round Rock, Texas"

Step 3: Configure Email Alerts

Property email alerts are toggled ON by default.

When to keep email alerts on:

You want clients to receive automatic property updates
You're actively working with engaged buyers or renters
The client has requested regular property recommendations

When to turn email alerts off:

You only want to create a search board in the app without sending emails
The client prefers to browse properties on their own schedule
You're setting up a passive search for future reference

Step 4: Select Listing Type

Choose the type of properties to include in the search:

For Sale: Properties available for purchase
For Rent: Rental properties and lease listings

Step 5: Set Price Range

Enter the client's budget parameters:

Minimum Price: The lowest price point the client is considering

Maximum Price: The highest price the client is willing to pay

Example:

Minimum: $500,000
Maximum: $750,000

Tip: Consider setting the range slightly wider than the client's stated budget to capture potential opportunities they might not have considered.

Step 6: Set Timeline (Optional)

Indicate when the client hopes to make a decision:

Timeline options:

Within the next month
Within the next 3 months
Within the next 6 months
Within the next year
No specific timeline

Why timeline matters:

Helps prioritize your pipeline
Informs the frequency and urgency of property recommendations
Allows Mel to understand client urgency

Step 7: Define Property Specifications

Set the basic property requirements:

Bedrooms

Enter the minimum number of bedrooms the client needs.

Example: "At least 3 bedrooms"

Bathrooms

Enter the minimum number of bathrooms the client needs.

Example: "At least 2 bathrooms"

Tip: "At least" parameters ensure clients see all qualifying properties without missing opportunities.

Step 8: Add Additional Search Preferences (Optional)

Feel free to add as many additional criteria as needed:

Property Features:

Square footage (min/max)
Lot size
Year built
Property type (single-family, condo, townhouse, etc.)
Parking requirements (garage spaces, covered parking)

Amenities:

Pool
Waterfront
Views
Outdoor space
HOA or no HOA

Condition & Style:

Move-in ready
Fixer-upper
Modern
Traditional
Specific architectural styles

School & Community:

School district requirements
Walkability preferences
Proximity to work or family

Step 9: Save Your Search

Once you've entered all search criteria:

Review your settings for accuracy
Click the purple "Add Search Criteria" button
The search is now active and will begin matching properties

Understanding Search Strategy

Start Broad, Refine Over Time

Initial Setup: Begin with broader criteria to capture a wide range of properties. This gives your client options and helps Mel understand their preferences.

As Mel Learns: Mel will automatically tighten search criteria as she learns what your client likes and dislikes based on:

Properties they view
Listings they shortlist
Properties they reject
Feedback they provide

Manual Refinement: You can also manually adjust search criteria at any time based on client feedback.

Multiple Searches for One Client

Consider creating multiple searches for clients with diverse preferences:

Example scenarios:

One search for condos downtown, another for single-family homes in suburbs
One search for move-in ready properties, another for fixer-uppers
Different searches for primary residence vs. investment properties

Each search can have completely different criteria tailored to specific needs.

Managing Existing Searches

Editing a Search

To modify search criteria after creation:

Navigate to the client's profile
Find the search you want to edit
Click Edit
Update any criteria
Save your changes

Pausing a Search

Temporarily stop property alerts without deleting the search:

Open the search settings
Toggle email alerts OFF
The search remains saved but won't send updates

Deleting a Search

Remove a search that's no longer needed:

Open the search settings
Click Delete Search
Confirm deletion

Note: Deleted searches cannot be recovered, so consider pausing instead if you might need it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often will clients receive property alerts?
A: Alert frequency depends on new listings matching their criteria. Clients typically receive updates as new properties become available.

Q: Can clients adjust their own search preferences?
A: Clients can provide feedback on properties (like, dislike), which helps Mel refine recommendations. Agents make the official search criteria changes.

Q: What happens if no properties match the search criteria?
A: Clients won't receive alerts until matching properties become available. Consider broadening criteria if the search is too narrow.

Q: Can I create a search without a client profile?
A: No, searches must be associated with a client. Create the client profile first, then add searches.

Q: Will clients see properties I've already shown them?
A: The system tracks property views to avoid sending duplicate recommendations when possible.

Q: Can I manually send properties outside of the automated search?
A: Yes! You can always manually share specific listings with clients in addition to their automated search alerts.

Q: How does Mel learn client preferences?
A: Mel analyzes client behavior including property views, shortlists, rejections, time spent on listings, and any direct feedback provided.

Q: Can I copy a search from one client to another?
A: Currently, searches must be created individually for each client. However, you can use similar criteria for multiple clients with comparable needs.

Q: What if a client's preferences change significantly?
A: Edit the existing search with new criteria, or create a new search and delete/pause the old one.