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Setting Up E-Alerts and Market Updates in Sierra

Set up automated alerts to keep leads engaged

Overview

E-Alerts and Market Updates automatically send listing and market information to your leads. When configured correctly, they help you stay visible, increase site engagement, and create natural follow-up opportunities.

Both tools are built from Saved Searches. You cannot create an E-Alert or Market Update without first creating a saved search.

This guide walks you through:

Before You Start: Saved Searches Are Required

E-Alerts and Market Updates are both created from saved searches. The saved search determines which listings your lead will receive.

You can create saved searches in two places.

Option 1: From the Saved Searches Tab

  1. Navigate to the Saved Searches tab at the top of Sierra.
  2. Create a new search.
  3. Apply listing criteria.

Option 2: From Inside a Lead Profile (Most Common)

  1. Open the Lead Detail page (either through the Leads> Leads Dashboard or by searching at the top of Sierra)
  2. Navigate to the Searches tab.
  3. Click:
    • Create E-Alert, or
    • Create Market Update
  4. Build your search criteria.
  5. Save the search.

Important: Saved Search Names Are Visible to Leads

The name you give a saved search is visible to the lead in their alert emails.

Always include clear identifying details such as:

  • Location or neighborhood
  • Property type
  • Price range or key criteria

Example:

  • ✅ “Scottsdale Condos Under $600K”
  • ❌ “Buyer Search 1”

Clear naming helps leads immediately understand what listings they are receiving.

How to Set Up an E-Alert (Buyer Listing Alerts)

E-Alerts send automated listing matches to buyer leads.

Step 1: Open the Lead

  1. Go to the CRM.
  2. Open the buyer lead.
  3. Click the Searches tab.

Step 2: Create the Saved Search

Click Create E-Alert and define listing criteria such as:

  • Location or map area
  • Price range
  • Property type
  • Beds and bathrooms
  • Additional filters as needed

Save the search.

Step 3: Choose Alert Frequency

Frequency controls how often the lead receives listing emails.

Available options include:

  • Immediately
  • Daily
  • Twice Per Week
  • Weekly
  • Twice Per Month
  • Monthly
Immediately vs Daily

Immediately

  • Sends an email as soon as a new listing matching criteria hits the site.
  • If multiple listings are added in one day, multiple emails will be sent.

Daily

  • Combines all new matching listings into one daily email.
  • The lead only receives an email if new listings appear that day.

In both cases, emails only send when listings match the saved search criteria.

Step 4: Save and Activate

Once saved, Sierra will automatically send listing alerts to the lead.

How to Set Up a Market Update (Seller & Homeowner Reports)

Market Updates send area-based market activity to seller or homeowner leads.

Step 1: Open the Lead

  1. Navigate to the seller or homeowner lead.
  2. Select the Searches tab.

Step 2: Create the Market Update Search

Click Create Market Update and configure search filters such as:

  • Neighborhood or subdivision
  • Zip code
  • Property type
  • Comparable price range (optional but recommended)

Save the search.

Step 3: Select Update Frequency

Common cadence recommendations:

  • Monthly → Most seller leads
  • Quarterly → Past clients or long-term homeowners
  • Weekly → Sellers preparing to list or monitoring active market shifts

Step 4: Save and Activate

Once saved, Sierra will automatically send market updates to the lead.

Optional: Receive Copies of Alert Emails (BCC Feature)

You can receive copies of listing alerts sent to your leads.

  1. Open the lead profile.
  2. Go to the Summary section.
  3. On the left-hand side, scroll to Other Preferences.
  4. Enable BCC Me on Listing Alerts.

When enabled, the assigned agent receives copies of:

  • E-Alert emails
  • Market Update emails

How to Suggest Specific Listings

You can manually recommend listings to leads outside of automated alerts. This is helpful when highlighting specific properties or sharing off-market opportunities.

👉 See How to Suggest Listings to Leads for full instructions.

Monitoring Alerts and Performance

You can review alert activity using alert dashboards.

  1. Navigate to Leads
  2. Select:
    • E-Alerts, or
    • Market Updates

These dashboards allow you to:

  • View when alerts were started
  • See alert frequency
  • Check last sent date
  • Track last opened activity
  • Track last clicked activity
  • Delete alerts if needed

Note: These dashboards are for reviewing and managing alerts. Alerts must be created or edited from saved searches or the lead profile.

Best Practices

  • Assign Alerts to Every Lead: Even lower-engagement leads benefit from continued listing exposure and brand visibility.
  • Match Frequency to Lead Readiness: Choose cadence based on timeline and engagement.
  • Review Alerts Every 60–90 Days: Buyer preferences and market conditions change. Regular reviews help maintain accuracy.
  • Use Engagement as Follow-Up Signals: Alert opens and clicks often indicate active interest and provide natural conversation starters.

FAQs

  • Are saved search names visible to leads?
    Yes. Leads can see saved search names in alerts and their portal, so use clear and descriptive naming.
  • Will alerts send if no listings match the search?
    No. Alerts only send when listings match the saved search criteria.
  • Can I see what emails my leads receive?
    Yes. Enable the BCC Me on Listing Alerts option in the lead profile or navigate to the Lead Detail Page > Searches > Click the arrow icon under Actions to view the search results. 
  • Can I edit alerts after they are created?
    Yes. Return to the lead’s Searches tab to modify the saved search.
  • Can I use E-Alerts for seller leads?
    Not typically. E-Alerts are designed to notify buyers of new listings. For sellers, Market Updates are the better choice to keep them engaged with local activity.
  • Do these emails stop automatically if a lead goes inactive?
    No. They will continue based on your settings until you change them. This keeps your brand in front of leads even during quiet periods.

Next Steps

Consider completing one of the following:

  • Create an E-Alert for an active buyer
  • Create a Market Update for a homeowner lead
  • Review alert dashboards to identify missing or outdated alerts