NTREIS Tax/Realist FAQ
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How far back in time are the sales and mortgages contained in the database?
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Are the phone numbers in Realist.com run against the FTC National Do-Not-Call Registry?
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What is the Dir field and how should it be used in a search?
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What is the difference between one-line and multi-line lists?
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Do I have to go back to the list to see details on another property?
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Can I produce a Realist Map showing the location of a property?
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What is a Neighbor Report, where can I find it and is it customizable?
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Can I create mailing label from Tax Billing & Property Address?
When I create a new listing, and click on the ‘Auto-pop up from Tax’ button it gives me an invalid entry.
Invalid errors to auto populate are usually caused by pop-up blockers and add on applications. Disable or turn them off. Also, check for any incorrect data entries in the address or county fields.
How can I access Realist?
Access to Realist is available through your Web-based MLS system. Once you've logged onto your MLS system, look for one or more links that will open the Realist Web site.
How do I log off of Realist?
You should use the Logout icon found at the top of each Realist.com page. This will close Realist.com and leave your web browser open. If you wish to close your web browser when you logout of Realist.com, simply click on the X in the upper right hand corner.
Will Realist log me off if I do not use the logout button?
If you do not use Realist for a period of time, you will be logged off automatically. After you are logged off, any effort to move within Realist will inform you that your session timed out due to inactivity and advise you to re-connect through the link to Realist from your MLS.
What are the system requirements for Realist?
Operating system of Windows 95 or later and Internet Explorer (IE) 5.0 or greater as the browser.
Operating system of Mac OS X 10.3.4 or later and Internet Explorer (IE) 5.2 or greater as the browser.
Whom should I call when I have a question?
You should call your MLS whenever you have a question about Realist. You may reach them by calling 214-540-2755 or by email MLS@dfwre.com.
What is contained in the Realist Taxdatabase?
The Realist Taxdatabase contains data for each property in counties throughout the North Texas region. The database combines assessor data, recording data (sales and mortgages), property owners' mailing addresses and phone numbers, census tract numbers and latitude and longitude for each property.
How far back in time are the sales and mortgages contained in the database?
The sales and mortgage history contained in each county's database will depend on the time period in which Realist Taxhas been covering the specific county. In some counties, coverage began many years ago, while in others, the coverage is more recent.
How often is the database updated?
The database is updated frequently (usually weekly) with each newly recorded sale and mortgage. The sales and mortgages are carefully matched to the properties in the database. The annual update with finalized assessed values also includes property characteristic data collected from the county.
What phone numbers are contained in the database?
The database contains the best available phone numbers obtained from authoritative electronic sources. Note that the phone numbers are for residential property owners, whether they occupy the premises or not. Tenant phone numbers are not available, nor are unlisted phone numbers.
Are the phone numbers in Realist.com run against the FTC National Do-Not-Call Registry?
As a convenience to our Realist.com clients, we have made Realist.com "Opt-Out Friendly". We have made every effort to prevent the display of phone numbers listed on opt out lists such as the National Do Not Call list and the DMA telephone opt out list.
What are land use codes?
There are variations on Land Use Codes as follows:
County Land Use Codes: Most commonly, land use codes are assigned to each property by the county assessors and indicate the primary purpose of the improved or unimproved property. Realist.com provides a drop list of the Use Codes available from the county you are searching. To select more than one Use Code, hold down the Control key and highlight the codes you want by clicking each one.
State Land Use Codes: In addition to county land use codes, some states maintain a land use coding system that designates the primary use of each property. In cases where both the county and state feature a land use code, Realist features both.
Universal Land Use Codes: Finally, since coding systems vary county-to-county (and state-to-state), Realist Taxoffers a "Universal Land Use" coding system that enables users to employ a simplified and consistent coding system for their searches in all counties. The Universal Land Use code is routinely featured on Realist searches and data presentations as a drop list. To select more than one Use Code, hold down the Control key and highlight the codes you want by clicking each one.
Where does Realist Tax get the property characteristics?
The property characteristics are obtained from the county assessment records. Some of the data, such as the year built and the building area, may be estimates contained in the county records.
What is a blanket sale or mortgage?
A blanket sale or mortgage is one for which more than one property was conveyed or financed by a single instrument. For example, a homeowner who holds title to his home and a vacant lot next door, may convey title to the separately assessed lots through one deed. Since blanket sales may not be suitable for comparables, you may wish to eliminate them when you search.
What is the LTV ratio?
The loan to value ratio is the percentage of the home's purchase price represented by the mortgage amount. For example, an LTV of 100 indicates that the mortgage was 100% of the purchase price and an LTV of 80 indicates that the mortgage was 80% of the purchase price. Note that the LTV is calculated separately for each individual mortgage rather than the aggregate of all mortgages against a property.
How is the price per square foot calculated?
If the building area is an estimate, the price per square foot is also an estimate. Both are based on other data elements provided by the county.
What does "no mail" mean after the address?
Realist Taxupdates its databases quarterly to reflect homeowners who have registered with the Direct Marketing Association to not receive mail or phone solicitations. This is indicated by "No Mail" appearing directly after the address. These addresses are automatically removed from labels produced by an export.
What is the census tract?
Census tracts are small, relatively permanent, statistical subdivisions of a county. The primary purpose of census tracts is to provide a stable set of geographic units for the presentation of decennial census data. Census tracts boundaries are delineated with the intention of being maintained over many decades so that statistical comparisons can be made. They are identified by a four-digit number and may have a two-digit numeric suffix.
What is the flood related data?
Realist.com provides access to the FEMA flood panel, the date of the flood panel, and the code indicating whether or not the property is determined to be within a flood zone. The flood zone code "X" is very common; it indicates that the area has been surveyed and is not deemed to have a flood risk. The flood zone code "C" also indicates that that area is determined to be outside the 100- and 500-year flood plains. Other codes may well indicate that there is flood risk associated with the location of the property. For complete flood information, contact a flood determination specialist.
What is a foreclosure sale?
A sale of property used as security for a debt, to satisfy said debt.
What is a Notice of Default?
A notice of default serves as a public notice that a loan is delinquent and that the foreclosure process has been initiated by the lending institution.
What is a Lis Pendens?
A Lis Pendens serves as notice that a loan is delinquent and that judicial activity has been started to initiate a foreclosure of the property.
What is a market value?
In some counties, the county or local taxing/assessment authority establishes a market value for taxing purposes. The market value may be set by evaluating the sales prices of similar properties in the area either via a site inspected appraisal or automated means. For precise information about the calculation of a market value, please contact the local taxing/assessment authority.
What is an appraised value?
In some counties, the county or local taxing/assessment authority establishes an appraised value for taxing purposes. The appraised value may be set by a manual appraisal however, for precise information about the calculation of an appraised value, please contact the local taxing/assessment authority.
What is an assessed value?
An assessed value is a value placed upon a property by the local taxing/assessment authority for property tax purposes. Generally, this is the value on which taxes are based however each individual taxing/assessment authority has specific guidelines and laws for calculating their market, appraised, or assessed values. In addition, many states or counties have laws governing assessed values and how much they can increase on a yearly basis. (e.g. Proposition 13 in California).
What is a universal value?
The universal value field displays the most likely value provided by the local taxing/assessment authority regardless of whether it is a market, appraised, assessed, or transition value. Depending on the local taxing/assessment authority, this field will be populated with the market, appraised, assessed or a transitional values (in the aforementioned order)
What is an Address Search?
An Address Search enables you to search for a specific property by house number and street name.
What is a Street Search?
The Street Search enables you to search Realist for properties along the entire length of a street, or within a few blocks which interest you. You can search as many as ten streets at a time.
What is the Owner Name Search?
Find any property by the name of the owner. The database contains up to two owners' names for each property. The owner name search will find the owner by either of the names. For example, a property owned by John and Jane Doe can be found by either John Doe or Jane Doe. If it is owned by Barry Bartles and Joseph James, it can be found by either Bartles or James.
What is the Phone Search?
This is a handy tool to track down homes listed for sale-by-owner. Enter all ten digits of the phone number. You may enter the number with spaces, dashes or with neither (e.g. 714 555 1212, 714-555-1212 or 7145551212).
What is a General Query?
The general query is used to find properties that meet diverse search criteria. Virtually all fields of information can be searched. The search is frequently used for comparables and marketing lists.
What is a Foreclosure Search?
The foreclosure search enables you to search for the active pre-foreclosure activities: Lis Pendens and Final Judgment.
How do I save a search?
The save search function allows you to save the search parameters, not the results. Make sure the criteria are precisely what you intend to save. Click on Save Search. You will be prompted to enter a name for the search. Then click on Save Search.
How do I retrieve a saved search?
Click on Retrieve Saved Searches in the Quick Start Center or click on the Search Tab and you are presented with a list of saved searches. Click on the name of any search you wish to see and run again.
How many searches can I save?
As many as you want. There is no limit.
Can I delete saved searches I no longer want?
Yes. Click on Retrieve Saved Searches in the Quick Start Center or click on the Search Tab. Tag the search(es) you no longer want and then click on Delete Checked Searches.
What is the Dir field and how should it be used in a search?
This is the direction field and use of it is optional. It is available on Street and Address Searches and should be used only when the direction precedes the street name (123 N Main, but not 123 Main N). On Address searches, use it for N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW. On Street searches use only N, S, E, W.
How should street names be entered for a search?
The street name field includes the main portion of the street name only. In this field do not include directionals such as N, S, SE, etc. and do not include the suffixes such as St, Rd, etc.
How should suffixes be entered for a street search?
Examples of street suffix abbreviations are Ave, Rd, St, and Cir. Realist utilizes standard postal abbreviations for suffixes. It is advisable to omit the suffix from a search if you are not sure of the suffix as provided by the county. For example, searching on Aspen Rd will not deliver Aspen Way. Conversely, searching on Aspen alone will deliver Aspen Way, Aspen Rd and Aspen Street.
How is the unit number used for an Address Search?
The individual unit number is searchable for condos. If you are not sure of the unit number or its format, omit it from the search. Realist will retrieve all matching units at the main address.
How is a zip code used in a street search?
Some streets are very long and traverse many zip codes. Instead of limiting your search by the low and high house number, you can narrow a street search to a select zip code. You may choose as many zip codes as you like or default to all.
Are wild card searches available?
Yes. You can customize your wild card options on the My Preferences Page.
How can I control the number of records per page?
The default number of records per page is 25. Click on the drop down arrow beside the Records/Page box. Click on the box and choose 10, 25, 50, 100 records per page.
What is the difference between one-line and multi-line lists?
The multi-line view is the default format. In a multi-line view, the data "wraps" around so that all the data will appear on your screen and a printed report. In a one-line view, each field of data appears in its own column. If you select many fields, the columns will not all fit on your screen or on a printout.
How can I sort the contents of a list?
If you are viewing a multi-line view or single line view, click on the sort button appearing at the top of the list, this will take you to a separate page where you select the field(s) you wish to sort on, then click the sort button to perform the sort.
How can I retrieve detailed property information?
Click on the property detail button to display detailed information on the property.
How can I customize the sections on a report?
The detail report on properties is arranged in sections. On the bar to the left of the report is a heading titled "Detail Sections." Tag on or off each of the detail sections you want to appear on your report.
Do I have to go back to the list to see details on another property?
No. Simply click on "previous" or "next" to see details of the other properties that appeared on your list.
How can I find comparable sales?
An automatic comp search is used to instantly find comparables within a set radius of a subject property. To execute an automatic comp search, simply search for a subject property and display the property details. Then click on the Comparables Properties button. If the Comparables Properties button does not appear on the Property Details or the comparables are not sufficient, the General Query may be used to find comparables also.
Can I produce a Realist Map showing the location of a property?
Yes. From property detail, click on Realist Maps to produce a Realist Map showing the property location.
How do I search for a building sketch?
Find a property using any search offered in Realist. If there is a building sketch for the property, a building sketch button should appear on the top and bottom of the property detail report.
What is a Neighbor Report, where can I find it and is it customizable?
The neighbor report allows one to learn about the neighborhood by viewing all of the properties surrounding the subject property, including their addresses and owner names.
You may now perform any search as before. On your Property List page, you have the ability to instantly generate a Neighbor Search report from any property in your Property List page with a single click!
You can customize the Neighbor Report by selecting a radius from the subject property that you wish to search. This customization feature is found by clicking the Preferences tab, Select Your Neighbor Search Parameters. Radius selections grow from .1 mile to 10 miles.
What does the Export button do?
You will see the Export button whenever you view a Property List or Neighbor List. To use the Export Builder, click on export. Follow the simple steps to build an export, and then go to the Export Manager to pick up your export file.
What properties will be contained in an export?
Full Record exports will include all properties contained on the property list. For property owners that have chosen not to receive marketing solicitations, the address will be omitted.
In the case of mailing labels, properties that do not have a valid owner mailing address and properties whose owners have chosen not to receive marketing solicitations will be omitted.
What is the Export Builder?
The Export Builder guides you through the simple steps needed to create an export file. As you complete each step, the Export Outline shows exactly what you have elected to do.
What information is contained in a full record?
Full records are primarily used for loading ownership information into a contact manager. The information included in the Full record is available for all counties, although for certain properties individual fields may not contain information. In general, the full record includes complete ownership information, the property's address, the owner's mailing address and phone number (when available), the property's class and use code, and the amount and date of sale (both settlement and recording). For more information on the exact fields contained in the Full record, consult the matrix shown on the Export Builder.
What Export Formats are supported?
The Export Builder asks you to select an Export Format. In addition to exporting mailing labels to Word, you can export data to Excel and comma delimited ASCII.
What label formats are supported?
For mailing labels in Word, Realist supports Avery 5160, 5161 and 5162 labels. Note that 3-across 5160 labels do not support the use of bar coding.
Avery 5160 labels are 3-across, 1" x 2-5/8", 30 labels per sheet.
Avery 5161 labels are 2-across, 1" x 4", 20 labels per sheet.
Avery 5161 labels are 2-across, 1-1/3" x 4", 14 labels per sheet.
Why would I export bar coded labels?
Bar coded labels may be eligible for postal discounts. Please consult postal regulations to determine specific requirements and benefits.
How many records can I export?
The number of records available to you for export each calendar month is 7,500. To identify how many you have remaining, go to the Export Manager.
Can I create mailing label from Tax Billing & Property Address?
You have an option on the Export Builder page to choose Tax/Billing Address or Property Address for creating mailing labels. When creating mailing labels from Property Address, you have three options :
Show current owner for your labels.
Show customized salutation for your labels.
Show current owner AND customized salutation for your labels.
When creating mailing labels from Mailing Address, you have three options:
Show current owner for your labels.
Eliminate duplicate labels.
Show customized salutation for your labels.
Show current owner AND customized salutation for your labels.
When can I pick up an export file?
As soon as you click the Export button, Realist will start creating your file. While small jobs are often done very quickly, larger exports may take some time to produce. You can check in the Export Manager to determine if your file is still processing or if it's ready to pick up. Click Refresh on the browser to update your screen, if desired. You can pick up any export that you have produced during the current month.
How do I pick up an export file?
To pick up an Export, click on the file name assigned by you. Realist will download the file to your hard drive or any specified destinations.
What is the Export Manager?
The Export Manager is the page from which you can pick up an Export. The Export Manager is divided into four main sections:
Exports Pending
Exports Ready to Pick Up
Exports Already Picked Up
My Export Status This Month
What calculators are offered?
Realist offers calculators to calculate amortization schedules and to qualify buyers for a mortgage. You will find additional help available through each calculator offered on Realist.