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Using the Map Search View for Polygon and Location-Based Searches

Explore listings on the map, draw custom polygon searches in the Sierra Interactive CRM or on your website, and find out what to use when you need satellite imagery.

Summary

This article covers Sierra's map search view: what it includes, how to draw a custom polygon search area, and options for satellite imagery. For radius-based and keyword-driven searches, see the IntelliSearch articles linked throughout.

Table of Contents

  1. What the Map Search View Includes
  2. Drawing a Polygon Search Area
  3. Satellite View Availability
  4. Best Practices
  5. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  6. FAQs

What the Map Search View Includes

Sierra's map search view plots listings on a standard map, optimized for speed and reliability across devices and browsers.

  • Live MLS Data: Listings are plotted accurately and updated in real time from your MLS feed.
  • Polygon Search: Draw a custom shape on the map to define a precise search boundary. Available to both agents in the CRM and visitors searching on your website. Covered step-by-step below. 
  • Radius Search: Center a search on any landmark or address and search outward by distance. See IntelliSearch Radius Search for full instructions.
  • Custom Map Areas in Saved Searches: Map-based boundaries can be combined with other location types, property filters, and keywords when building Saved Searches. See Creating Saved Searches with IntelliSearch.

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Drawing a Polygon Search Area

Polygon searches let you define exact boundaries a standard city or zip code search can't capture like a specific neighborhood, a school zone, or "walking distance to downtown."polygon_draw

  1. In the top navigation bar, go to Saved Searches and select Saved Searches.
  2. Click + New Saved Search.
  3. On the property search page, click the Map button in the upper left corner to switch to map view.
  4. Select the draw tool on the map. 
  5. Click points on the map to outline your search area, then close the shape. 
  6. Results update to show listings within your drawn boundary.
  7. To adjust or remove the boundary, clear the shape and redraw. 
  8. Save the search to use it for listing alerts or IDX pages.

Polygon search is available to both you and your site visitors. Buyers can draw their own search boundaries while browsing listings on your website, and the searches you build in the CRM use the same tool.

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Satellite View Availability

Sierra's map search uses a standard map view. A satellite imagery layer is not available on the platform.

If you need satellite imagery — for a buyer consultation, listing presentation, or lot evaluation — use an external tool like Google Maps or Google Earth. Screen-capture the satellite view of the property and its surroundings and add it to your presentation slides or pre-showing emails.

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Best Practices

  • Draw polygons around how clients actually describe locations. "Within a 10-minute walk of downtown" or "north of the highway" translate directly into a drawn boundary — set the client up on a Saved Search from that shape so their alerts match what they asked for.
  • Choose the right boundary tool for the job. Polygons are best for irregular areas with hard edges; Radius Search is faster when the client's anchor is a single point like a school or employer. See IntelliSearch Radius Search.
  • Pair map boundaries with keywords. Combine a drawn area with natural-language filters like "in-ground pool" or "bonus room" for highly targeted results. See How to Refine IntelliSearch Results with the Keyword Modal 
  • Verify your listings are mapped correctly. Boundary searches are only as accurate as listing coordinates. See Ensure Your Listings Are Mapped Correctly: Overcome Mapping Challenges.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • You're looking for a satellite or aerial view option and can't find it.
    Satellite view is not available in Sierra's map search. Use the standard map view on-site, and an external tool like Google Maps when you need satellite imagery for presentations.
  • A polygon search returns no results.
    The drawn area may have low inventory. Expand the boundary or loosen other filters, then narrow again.
  • A listing appears in the wrong location on the map.
    This is usually a coordinate issue in the MLS feed. See Ensure Your Listings Are Mapped Correctly.

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FAQs

  • Can I turn on satellite view?
    No. Satellite view is not an available option in Sierra's map search. Use an external mapping tool when you need aerial imagery.
  • Can site visitors draw polygon searches on my website?
    Yes. Polygon search is available to buyers browsing listings on your Sierra website, not just to agents in the CRM. 
  • Can I save a polygon search as a listing alert?
    Yes. A drawn map area works like any other location criteria, save the search and attach it to a listing alert for any lead.
  • What's the difference between a polygon search and Radius Search?
    A polygon is a custom shape you draw with exact edges; Radius Search measures a set distance outward from a single point. Both can power Saved Searches and alerts.

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