Map view and layers

The SmartMLS Tax system provides users with detailed, interactive maps that allow you to take a deep dive into a property and its surrounding area. There are many layers and map tools at your disposal that provide additional valuable information. Take a look at parcel lines, listings currently on the market in the area, flood zone information, local schools and much more.

To get started, open up the Property Report for an individual record and click View Larger Map: 

That opens a full screen map, with the selected property in the center. There are two important sections to be aware of:

1. The    icon in the upper left of the map opens up the map layers section.
   
   
2. The column of icons on the right side of the map gives you access to many map tools that allow you to interact with the map.

We will take a look at all of the settings and map tools in both of these sections throughout the remainder of this article.

Map Layers

Click the double arrow icon  in the upper left corner of the large map:

The CRS Map Layers column opens up on the left side of the map:

Use the   to expand each section and see all of its options.

Parcels
The Parcels map layer toggle allows you to display or hide the parcel (property boundary) lines on the map:

Recent Sales
The Recent Sales layer highlights properties that have sold within one of a handful of preset timeframes:

Note: you may only choose one timeframe at a time.

A legend at the bottom of the map explains what the different colors represent:

School Information
The School Information layer is comprised of two different options each for Elementary, Middle and High Schools: Zones and Locations:

The School Zone options show the boundaries for public schools, while the School Location options show where schools are physically located:

Zones are outlined in blue; Locations are designated with a dark blue label.

Labels
The Labels map layer lets you overlay several different property characteristics on top of the map. There are six options to choose from:

Many of these options are not accessible until you have zoomed into the map quite a bit. The toggle switches will remain faded/inaccessible if you are not zoomed in far enough.

For example, when used in conjunction with the parcel lines, the Property Address label helpfully puts each property’s street number on the map, making it very easy to locate an individual parcel and distinguish it from its neighbors:

Technically, you can apply all of these Labels at the same time. However, the map will be covered with text and the information will be difficult, if not impossible, to read. You may want to apply only one or two at a time.

Listings
The Listings layer allows you to add MLS listings (both currently active and recently off market) to the map, giving you a little extra insight into the current market while viewing property records:

There is a legend in the bottom of the map that helps you distinguish between the different listing statuses:

Foreclosures
The Foreclosures layer lets you see properties that are at some point within the foreclosure process- Lis Pendens and Auctions.

Any property that falls into these foreclosure categories will have a special icon (unfortunately, the icons are very small and difficult to distinguish between each other):

  the icon that looks like a courthouse with a tiny clock in the middle represents Lis Pendens.

  the icon that looks like a courthouse with three pillars represents Auction properties.

Clicking on a parcel with either of these icons will open a thumbnail view of the property record, including a link to the foreclosure information:

If you click the link at the bottom of the window, you can view the details of the foreclosure case:

FEMA Flood Zone
Investigate whether a property is located in a flood zone by turning on the FEMA Flood Zones layer:

Each flood layer will have its own shade. The Flood Layer shading legend will appear at the bottom of the map.

For additional information about a property’s flood zone, refer to the FEMA Flood Zones section of the full Property Report (it is located at the bottom of the report). 

ZipCode
You can use the ZipCodes layer to find out any parcel’s correct USPS zip code.  This map layer outlines all recognized zip codes with a blue boundary:

Note: you may have to zoom out to view this layer.  If you are zoomed in too far and the parcel(s) you are looking at are not near a zip code boundary, you will not see any of the blue borders on your map.

Measurements
The Measurements map layer is directly tied to the map tool on the right side of the map.

If you have used the tool on the right to calculate any measurements (such as the distance between two parcels), you can use the Measurements map layer toggle to remove those measurements from the map completely:

Searches
If you have used the map drawing tool (on the right side of the screen) to draw any shapes (rectangle, radius, or polygon) on the map, you can hide the shapes by turning off the Searches layer:

Subject Property
Turning the Subject Property layer on will highlight and outline the parcel of the property record you were viewing when you switched to the large map view:

Map Drawing Tools

In addition to the Map Layers, there are several map drawing tools located on the right side of the map that allow you to interact with SmartMLS Tax maps and glean even more information about property records and their surrounding areas:

The plus/minus sign allows you to zoom in/out on the map.

The compass icon allows you to see the direction of the map you are viewing. The orange arrow will always indicate which direction is North. 

The gear icon allows you to change your map view: Road, Aerial, Birdseye or Streetside.

This icon is tied to the Subject Property map layer (from the previous section). If you have enabled the Subject Property layer, this map tool gives you the option of applying parcel dimensions and/or shading to the subject property parcel, so it stands out a lot more on the map:

If you have moved around on the map and/or changed the zoom level, clicking this icon will re-center the map on the subject property. It will also reset the zoom level back to default.

The magnifying glass icon allows you to draw a shape (or multiple shapes) on the map and search within for property records. You have the option of drawing a Polygon, Rectangle, Radius (circle) and/or a Freehand shape.

The Measuring Tool icon provides four different map measurement options: Parcel, Lat/Long, Distance and Area.

• Parcel- if you have selected the Parcel tool, you can click on any parcel on the map and see its parcel measurements (in feet) as well as the total acreage of the parcel:
  
  

• Lat/Long- Use the Lat/Long option to see map coordinates of any spot on the map. After selecting this option, move your mouse pointer to the spot on the map you need to measure, then click or tap once. A box will appear and give you the coordinates. Click Delete to remove it or Move to choose a new spot on the map.
  
  
• Distance- This option allows you to measure the distance between any two spots on the map. Click or tap on your starting point, then move the red line to any other point on the map to see how far apart they are. Double-click or tap at your end point to finish your measurement.
  
  
• Area- The Area tool lets you draw a shape on the map and calculate its area (in acres). It functions the same way the Polygon drawing tool does (from the magnifying glass icon).  Just click or tap on your starting point, move the red line to the next point on the edge of your area, the click or tap again. Continue adding connecting lines in this manner until you close off the area to be measured.  Double-click or tap to finish your measurement. The acreage will be shown in the middle of your selection.
  
  

Print, email or save the current map.

If you choose the Email option, just enter your recipient’s email address (you can email up to 20 recipients at one time), edit the From: email address (if desired), enter a meaningful Subject line, then type a message to be included in the email. You can also choose to receive a copy of the email at your own address.

Note: the ability to print, email, save, or copy is not available when in Birdseye view. This is in compliance with Microsoft Bing Map license.