For a long time technology embracing REALTORS® belonging to ARMLS were limited in choices to display real estate listings on their websites and blogs. We could either frame the free and rather basic MLS search provided directly by the Arizona Multiple Listing Service, or utilize the only advanced solution provided by Success Web System also known as “Killer IDX” for custom sites. Thanks to ARMLS breaking the IDX vendor-monopoly now things have changed and there are more IDX providers available for Real Estate Agents belonging to our local MLS.
Map based property searches seem to be what the majority of consumers currently demand. Unfortunately I don’t have a R&D budget like the folks over at Trulia to develop a map based property search therefore I have to resort to alternatives and currently the best one I have found is the one from Diverse Solutions.
The neatest thing about dsSearchAgent is that I have complete freedom of customizing maps, being able to drill down to individual neighborhoods and to selectively display available homes for sale located in individual subdivisions.
The example below is a Phoenix Neighborhood bordering Paradise Valley to the south called Marion Estates.
Another great feature I like is that you are able to receive new listings as they come on the market via your RSS feed reader. However if you still prefer email than this form of delivery is also available to you. You don’t like the sliders to change your search parameters? No problem just switch over by clicking on “Use Text Boxes” and you can enter your search criteria the old fashioned way.
Once we have completed the transition to FlexMls in 52 days, agents then will be able to upload unlimited photos and this will certainly enhance the search experience for the user.
Now go and give my new Phoenix Home Search a try! Your comments and feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Christoph Schweiger is a 34-year-old real estate agent living with his wife and son in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona ... 
Nick Bastian on Jun 7, 2008
very cool.. Great job, my man..
Dara Foias on Jun 16, 2008
Very nice interface.. can’t quite figure out how to get updates as they happen for my searches - perhaps it is automatic?
Christoph on Jun 16, 2008
Hello Dara,
Yes the updates are automatic. Once you registered (you only have to provide your email address to register) you can log into your account and select the frequency of your email updates (nightly or weekly). If you prefer to get your updates via RSS simply subscribe to the RSS of your saved search. To avoid redundant email updates, go to your Profile, select “Never” in the drop-down menu next to “Email Updates”.
Hope that helps and happy browsing!
Jay Thompson on Jun 20, 2008