CloseGeneral
- What is HomeFinder.ca?
- How does HomeFinder.ca allow me to find my home, my way?
- Where do the property listings come from?
- What cities and/or provinces are available to search on HomeFinder.ca?
- I have feedback about the site. Where can I send it?
- What browsers are supported?
Searching for a Home
- How do I search for a home?
- How do I view details on a property from the search results?
- How do I refine my search results?
- I don't see a home I'm interested in right now. How can HomeFinder.ca let me know when properties become available in my area?
Search Maps
- How do I search a property using the Virtual Earth™ map?
- How does Virtual Earth™ help me find real estate?
- What types of maps does Virtual Earth™ provide?
- How do I use the Virtual Earth™ map?
- What else can I see on the Virtual Earth™ map?
- Why does the map go blurry or say "No Photo Available", when I use the zoom feature on Virtual Earth™ map?
Demographics
- What is neighbourhoods, and what kinds of information does it provide?
- Can I view information on a particular neighbourhood I'm interested in?
General
1) What is HomeFinder.ca?
HomeFinder.ca is a new, innovative way to search for homes in Southern Ontario. Combining listing information and the latest mapping technology using Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ mapping technology, HomeFinder.ca allows users to search and discover neighbourhood, demographic and lifestyle information to help them choose the right home.
2) How does HomeFinder.ca allow me to find my home, my way?
HomeFinder.ca provides a variety of search opportunities including address, city, neighbhourhood, proximity search, MLS#, price range, number of bedrooms/bathrooms and property type. Users can also enhance their decision making process by learning about their city of choice and area using provided maps.
3) Where do the property listings come from?
The listing information comes directly from local real estate boards and is not altered by HomeFinder.ca in any way.
4) What cities and/or provinces are available to search on HomeFinder.ca?
HomeFinder.ca covers most of Southern Ontario at this time. Additional cities/provinces will be included in future phases.
5) I have feedback about the site. Where can I send it?
All feedback can be sent by clicking on the Feedback link at the end of each page, or by emailing us at feedback@HomeFinder.ca.
6) What browsers are supported?
HomeFinder.ca would like to ensure you have the best experience possible while visiting its sites, therefore the following web browsers are recommended for best viewing:
- Best Viewed at 1024 x 768
- JavaScript enabled
- Firefox 1.5+, Internet Explorer 6.0+, Netscape 7.2+, Netscape 8.1.3 (using the default installation/setup) browsers and Safari 2.0.4+
- Cookies Enabled
- The Virtual Earth™ maps are best viewed using Firefox 1.5 + and Internet Explorer 7.
Searching for a Home
7) How do I search for a home?
Searching is quick, simple and convenient. From the main search box on the homepage, select the type of search you wish to perform from the Tab options. You can also choose to refine your search by minimum/maximum price, type of home, number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms. Once you click search, selected results will be returned.
8) How do I view details on a property from the search results?
To view specifics on a property from the search results, click on the “More Info†button to view listing details.
9) How do I refine my search results?
Once you receive your search results, you can refine your search by entering in price, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and/or type, then click the "Refine" button to receive new results. To clear the filter, click on "Clear".
10) I don't see a home I'm interested in right now. How can HomeFinder.ca let me know when properties become available in my area?
HomeFinder.ca will soon be providing technology that will allow you stay informed about properties of interest to you. You will be able request that Emails be sent to you about available properties or you can set up a RSS feed.
Search Maps
11) How do I search a property using the Virtual Earth™ map?
To use the Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ functionality, simply click on the Map search tab. You can view details by clicking on the map to a neighbourhood you are interested in. Clicking on the orange icon will provide the option to view all the listings in the neighbourhood or the neighbourhood demographic details.
12) How does Virtual Earth™ help me find real estate?
Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ mapping technology shows you the physical location of the property. You can view a map of the city and zoom in all the way down to street level. In addition to viewing the property, you can discover amenities and community institutions in the neighbourhood by zooming in on the area. Points of interest options will appear below the map.
13) What types of maps does Virtual Earth™ provide?
Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ offers maps including:
- Road - shows only roads and streets
- Aerial - shows only satellite images
- Hybrid - show streets and road information on top of the satellite images
14) How do I use the Virtual Earth™ map?
To see visual images of properties or areas, simply click on the map. For more detailed views, you can drag your cursor on the map to discover other areas or zoom in or out to view all the way down to street level. The best way to navigate the maps is to drag your mouse over areas of interest or to use the mouse over areas of interest or use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out for detailed street information.
15) What else can I see on the Virtual Earth™ map?
You can view areas or venues of interest including schools, community centres, police and fire station locations, shopping malls, parks and more.
16) Why does the map go blurry or say "No Photo Available", when I use the zoom feature on Virtual Earth™ map?
High-resolution Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ maps are not currently available for certain areas. You may experience issues when you zoom in to a Microsoft Virtual Earth™ map if you live outside of Toronto.
Neighbourhoods
17) What is Demographics, and what kinds of information does it provide?
Demographics include lifestyle and statistical information on a selected city or neighbourhood. To view demographic information, select a city from the drop down menu and click on it. Property listings also include demographic information specific to the neighbourhood where the property is located.
18) Can I view information on a particular neighbourhood I'm interested in?
To view neighbourhood-specific information, including demographic and lifestyle details, simply select the neighbourhood name (i.e. Leaside, Riverdale, High Park) you are interested in under the Demographics tab. Neighbourhood information is also available on listing details pages.
