Exporting Data from MLS Lisings CA, South Bay Area

Using the ‘Customize List View’ to setup the Export Format

Before you can export data, you must first setup the Export format.  This is a one time action that you will need to do.  The default format must be extended to add new fields/columns as shown in this section for the Focus 1st application to understand the format.   To extend the List View, first do a search (any search will do) then select the “Customize List View” menu item as shown below. 

Once you’ve selected the ‘Customize List View’ you will see a screen as shown below. 

Most of the field/columns required are already included as part of the default List View.  If you’ve changed the List View, you may restore the default List View by pressing the  button.

Now you will need to add several ‘Dates’ related fields/columns to the List View.   Place your cursor over the ‘+’ sign and select the ‘+’ to expand the ‘Dates’ Category. 

Add the following ‘Dates’ fields to the List View by selecting each one. 

Then add the "Style" field as shown below.

Do this for each of the field/columns as shown in the graphics above. 

Note: Be sure that you include each of the following fields:

 

MLS Number

Status

Street Address

City

List Price

Sale Price

Beds

Baths

Area

Age

Bldg SqFt

 

COE Date

DOM

Expiration Date

Off Market Date

List Date

Style

Once you have completed the task above, save the results by pressing the  button.  You may save the new List View under a new name (here we’ve chosen to save it under the name of “Focus 1st’) . 

Select this view as your ‘Default’ view.  This will make exporting your results much easier. 

You are now ready to do your MLS search and export results. 

CA, South Bay Area - MLS Listings

In selecting data from the MLS Listings, be sure to select the options below:

Make sure that all the status options are selected.  This will make sure that all the data that is needed to create the appropriate graphs, is collected.  

You should also make your normal selection choice by selecting other options that you would normally select in doing a CMA.  As mentioned earlier, looking at activity in specific areas is a good starting point. 

To avoid downloading unnecessary data, you may select only sold, withdrawn, and expired data after a more recent data.  “01/01/2008” would be a good date if you are looking doing your search in 2009 (since only the last two years are used).  However, be aware, that if you place a date in the “sale date” or ‘coe date’ fields, the full results are not download.  Thus, make sure you leave the these date fields empty. 

 

To minimize downloading extra data (MLS Listings limit you to 500 records), we recommend that you select an appropriate List Date.  For collecting data for 2009, we recommend using a List Date of 01/01/2006 to make sure that you have a complete data set. 

Once you’ve selected the search criteria, press the  button to see the results as shown below.  Now you are ready to download the results.  To download the results, select the first make sure that you are using newly defined List View.   If you defined the newly defined List View as your default it will be displayed.   If you have not, select the List View now using the ‘Customize List View’ menu as shown below. 

Once your resuls are shown you are ready to export your results.   To export your results, select the ‘Export’ option under the “More Options’ menu item as shown below. 

Next you will see the screen shown below.  The download will now start.  Once the download starts, you will be asked if you want to save the file.  Select the save option and then choose a file name. 

Be sure to remember where you save your file.  This is the exported file that will be used to create your graphs. 

You will see dialog boxes similar to what you see below.

Once you have saved your exported file, you are ready to run the Focus 1st application. 

When you run the application you will need to point to the exported data file, so make sure that you’ve placed the file in an easy to find place.  

For instructions on how to run the Focus 1st application, be sure to see the your manuals (installed on your desktop when you installed the application).