Find and Retrieve Comparable Data

When writing an appraisal, you may want to use a comparable that has previously been entered, either as a comparable or as a subject. In this case, you can find the previously entered data and then copy it to your current appraisal.

Search for a Comparable

You may want to search for a comparable or comparables and add it to your current form, edit its information, or delete it.

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To find a comparable:

1. Choose Database | Search Comps Database. The Comparables Database Search window appears (figure 5-1). The dialog box allows you to fill in as many (or as few) of the search fields as you like. Then Forms uses the information to search for comparables that meet the specifications you have given. The comparables fields vary depending on the type of form you are using.

2. Double-click the first database field you would like to search for from the Database Fields scrolling list, for example: Date of Sale. A box will appear requesting more information, such as the Date Field box (figure 5-2).

3. Fill in the box that appears with the information for which you are searching. Please note that different types of fields will display different types of dialogs for capturing search information. Some will look for wildcard matches, while others may be ranges of dates or numbers.

4. After repeating these steps for as many fields as you would like, click the Find button. The resulting matches are displayed (see figure 5-3)

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Figure 5-1 The initial Comparables Database Search dialog

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Figure 5-2 The Date Field dialog

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Figure 5-3 The Comps Database Window Displays Search Results

Change How Your Search Results Are Displayed

You can change how your Search results are displayed in the Database Fields list, for example, you might be trying to display all your comps in a certain town and wish to see the List Prices for these comps and their Map Codes.

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To add, delete, or rearrange fields in the Database Fields list:

1. Click on the Search Layout button in the Comps Database window. The Search Layout box appears, as shown in Figure 5-4.

2. To move a field, select it and click Up or Down.

3. To add a field to the list, select the field in the Fields in SFRSales box and click $image\ebd_ebd160.gif$ .

4. To remove a field to the list, select the field in the Fields in Search Results box and click $image\ebd_ebd161.gif$ .

5. Click OK when you have edited the list so that you are happy with it. Now when the Database Fields list is displayed in the Comps database the comps will be shown as you specified in the Search Layout box.

6. When you have made the Search Criteria list as complete as you want, click on Find. Forms will search the Comps database and list the Comps that meet your Search Criteria in the Database Fields list, as shown in Figure 5-5. These search criteria can be saved for future use (see the Design a Query topic for more information).

7. If you would like to change the order of the comps, click the heading by which you would like to order the comps. For example, if you clicked the Address1 heading, the comps would be reordered alphabetically by address. If you clicked GLASqFt, the comps would be arranged with the lowest at the top of the list.

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Figure 5-4 The Search Layout dialog

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Figure 5-5 The Comparables Database Search dialog with modified layout