Exporting Data from MN, Twin Cities Northstar MLS

Using the “Custom Export” 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 format must be setup exactly as shown in this section for the Buying Pattern application to understand the format. To create your export format, select the following menu items: My MatrixgSettingsgCustom Exports.

Press the “Add Export” button to create your Export Format. You will see a screen similar to that shown below.

First place the name “Focus 1^st” as the “Export Name as shown above. Then you will need to define the fields to be in the new Export format (also referred to as Export Definition). To define the fields, select a field from the left table (shown as “Available Items” and press the key. You will see the item move to the table on the right. Do this for each of the options as shown in the list below.

Additionally, make sure to select under the “Include Column Names:” option the “Label” option button, and make sure to select under the “Separation:” option the “Tab” button.

Note: Be sure that you create the column report with the items shown below.

Area

Baths – Total

Bedrooms

Cancellation Date

Closed Date

County

Days on Market

List Date

List Number

List Price

Off Market Date

Postal City

Status

Street Address

Style

Sold Price

Total Finished Square Footage

Year Built

Zip Code

Once you have completed the task above, save the results by pressing the button. You are now ready to do your MLS search and export results.

NorthStart MLS

In selecting data from NorthStar MLS, be sure to select the option below:

Make sure that all the status options are selected. This option 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 subdivisions is a good starting point.

To avoid getting too much data, you may want to limit the data by setting the list date to be a couple of year back. For example, to limit the data collected for a search you are doing in 2008 you may want to set the list date to be 1/1/2007+.

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 button (Next to the “Export Data” as shown below.

When you select the download button, the dialog shown below is displayed. Select the “All Records” option and the “Comma Delimited” Data Export format. Then push the button.

Next you will see the screen shown below. Select the “Focus 1^st” Export Grid Format (by using the drop down box) and check the “Include Column Headers” as shown below. Then press the button.

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 Neighborhood Buying Patterns 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 Neighborhood Buying Pattern application, be sure to see the Neighborhood Buying Pattern manual (installed on your desktop when you installed the application).