We’ve created a new mobile and portal search experience that is faster, more intuitive, and tailored to agent needs.  This new experience brings popular desktop features to the mobile experience, bringing us closer to our goal of complete consistency across platforms. 

When is this available?

June 20, 2024

Where is this available? 

This search experience will be released to the Flexmls Mobile website (m.flexmls.com), the Android Agent app, and Portals. You can expect to see updates to iOS by the end of the year. 

What’s New? 

This new search brings a familiar workflow from desktop to mobile search, allowing you to search (filter based on specific criteria), find (view search results), and act (share a listing, use third party integrations, etc.) via expandable and collapsible panels. 

Step 1 – Search:
Use the filter panel to specify your search criteria. This is where you will select your search template and fill out fields you wish to search on. You may already be familiar with this panel, as it was part of our mobile updates in 2023. 

Step 2 – Find: 

In the middle section, you can see your search results based on the filters you specified in Step 1. Here, you have different options for viewing your results, including our new Summary View and Stats View, as well as the familiar List View and Map View. 

Summary View

In your search results, the new Summary View gives you all the important property information at a glance, without having to select each individual listing. This view now shows a large main photo while also displaying the most important property information, customized by an agent’s selected View. With this view, you don’t have to load the full listing to complete actions like sharing a listing or viewing showing info. You can do it right here in the Summary View. You also have access to these actions in the List View. 

Stats View

You can be a market expert even on-the-go. The Stats Tab, previously only available on desktop, is now on mobile too. The Stats tab allows you to find statistical data for all the listings in your current search. For any search, you can easily access Average, Median, Low, and High values for key indicators like price, size, and time on market.

Step 3 – Act: 

Now that you’ve searched and viewed listings, you can choose the action you want to take in the new Toolbox panel. Whether you want to share the listing with a client or add it to a customer collection, you can do it on-the-go. 

Toolbox Panel

The Toolbox panel is where you can take action with your search and listing. It includes the options for sharing or saving searches, working with third-party integrations, sharing a listing, hiding or recommending to a contact, and more.

Blue Action Bar

We’ve provided one consistent place to make it easier and more convenient to take the next step on a specific listing. With the blue action bar, you can: quickly copy a listing URL, share and recommend a listing, search comps, view showing info, report an error, take action with a third-party application, and more. 

 

Save This Search

Quickly name and save a search using the new Save This Search option. Simply type in the name you want to call your search at the top bar labeled “Save This Search.” You will then be able to access the search from your Saved Searches. 

Get ready to search like never before with map overlays! Soon, the Flexmls for Real Estate Pros iOS app will include a map overlays enhancement, making these overlays available anywhere you access Flexmls. If you’re new to map overlays, these are additional layers that outline areas such as counties, parcels, and flood zones right on the map. This allows you to easily see the map information that’s important to you.

Note: All these enhancements are already available today on Flexmls Web and Android apps.

When Will It Change?
This update will be available on November 28, 2023.

What Will Change?
We’re adding new functions to the map toolbar in the Flexmls for Real Estate Pros iOS app so that it is available anywhere you access Flexmls.

Previously, the Layers icon could be used to switch between the standard, hybrid, or satellite view. With this enhancement, the Layers icon can also be used to select from available MLS map overlays. Agents can also select their own map overlays.

If the selected map overlay includes a key or legend, a key icon will be displayed in the map toolbar. Click on the key for more information about identifiers used in the map overlay.

With Flood Zone Overlay On

Now your customer portal has an additional security measure to help prevent false IDX leads created by automated (“bot”) software.

When Will It Change
These updates are available now. 

What Will Change
If you are a Flexmls IDX subscriber, your portal signup page now includes a reCAPTCHA above the Sign Up button. Users will be required to click the I’m not a robot checkbox in order to sign up for a portal account.

reCAPTCHA is a service that helps protect websites from spam and abuse. A “CAPTCHA” is a test to tell humans and bots apart. Valid (human) users pass the test easily, but automated software is blocked.

Why Are We Making These Changes
We’re making this change to help prevent malicious users from creating false IDX leads that interfere with your ability to identify and work with valid contacts.

The Flexmls Portal for consumers is getting a facelift that will make it easier to use everywhere!

When Will It Change
This portal experience has already been rolled out to a small number of MLSs. On July 25th, the changes will be available to all MLSs.

Who Will Be Affected
If you are using the Flexmls Portal, your clients will see these changes when they use a web browser to access the Portal on a larger screen, such as a laptop or a tablet. (Clients who use a web browser to access the portal on a mobile device will not see any changes.)

Note: These changes will not affect users of the Classic Portal. However, members using the Classic Portal should consider switching portal versions to gain the benefits of these changes.

What Will Change
We’re excited to announce that the Flexmls Portal for consumers is getting a facelift that will make it easier to use everywhere! Soon, the portal will be responsive, so whether consumers are viewing the portal on their mobile phone or on a full-size monitor, the features and functions of the portal will work exactly the same. Previously, the portal experience was different between smaller, mobile screens and larger screens. Consumers had to learn to do the same tasks differently, depending on their device. This new consistent user experience will also make it easier for your members to help consumers use the portal.

In addition to a fresh user interface, this change also includes the following new features that enhance your client’s ability to find the listings they’re interested in:

• Drawing tools on the map to define search areas
• Location services on all devices
• Friendlier search results page
• More prominent home page that showcases your featured listings and IDX searches

Refreshed Home Page
The updated home page gives your clients access to more information, including their conversations with you. Plus, if you have featured listings or IDX searches, the home page highlights them.

Map Search
Previously, clients using tablets or larger screens couldn’t outline a search area using the map in the portal. Now, if your MLS allows searching in the Flexmls Portal, your clients will be able to easily draw a shape on the map to define their search area, saving them time and making it easier for them to come up with more accurate results.

Infinite Scrolling in Search Results
Previously, only 10 listings loaded at a time, requiring your client to repeatedly click to load and view more listings. Now, they can enjoy less clicking with the new infinite scroll. As they scroll through their search results to view listings they’re interested in, more listings will load automatically, which makes their search results easier to view overall.

“My Location” Now on All Devices
In the previous version of the portal, “My Location” was available only on mobile devices with smaller screens, such as phones. With this change, location services can be used on all devices, making the portal more useful for contacts who use a computer with a mobile hotspot or another device with a larger screen.

When location services are turned on, tapping or clicking the “My Location” control on the map changes the zoom level and centers the map on the consumer’s location to show nearby listings.

Give Your Clients the BEST Portal Experience – Make Sure It’s Turned On!

Ensure your clients have the best experience. Go to the Portal Preferences Page in Flexmls. If you see this on your screen, click the blue button, “Try The Flexmls Portal.”

Then make sure you have the Flexmls Portal turned on. Click to expand the Portal Basics section. If the Portal Enabled option is turned on (the toggle is green), the portal is ready for your clients to use. If the portal isn’t enabled yet, click the on/off toggle. Be sure to click Save if you make changes!

Whether or not the portal is turned on, you can change the Portal Name, which is the portion of your portal URL that identifies you. You can change the portal name to reflect your branding, marketing, or personal preference.

Important Note: If the portal is already turned on, changing the portal name may cause links that were previously created for your clients to stop working.

Why Are We Making These Changes
We want to provide your customers with a beautiful and consistent home-search experience in their Flexmls Portal. These changes provide your clients with the same features and functions, no matter what device they use.

Starting on June 6th, we made the messaging features in our Flexmls mobile platform (Flexmls Pro for Android, Flexmls Mobile Web, and the Flexmls Portal) easier to use and more convenient than ever for your members and their clients. They can look forward to updated message threads, responsive pages that accommodate a wider range of mobile devices and screen sizes, and of course, a new modern look and feel.

Benefits of Mobile Messaging Advantages for Members
The built-in messaging in Flexmls provides you with a streamlined way of communicating with your clients.

When a contact sends a message from a listing, a clickable summary of the listing information is always included, making it clear which property the conversation is about. Tapping the photo will take you directly to the detail view for the listing. From there, tapping Back returns you to the contact’s message, making it easy to review a listing and then respond to a question.

Message management is easier because messages from a contact are gathered in one place. Instantly send a reply by entering a return message and tapping Send. Questions and replies stay together in threads.

For members, messages are also a great way to direct contacts to the client portal.

Advantages for Clients
Your clients can quickly and easily ask a question, request a showing, or comment on a listing by tapping the Contact Agent button. Even if they’re not logged in, clients can send a message to their agent. (Logging in is required to see the agent’s reply.)

Because the clickable listing summary is always included, clients can also tap the photo in a message to view the details of the listing.

When Will It Change
This update will become available on June 6, 2019.

Who Will Be Affected
Members who use the Flexmls Pro Android app or mobile website and clients who view the Flexmls Portal on a mobile device will notice these updates.

What Will Change
With this change, message threads are getting an updated, modern look. Messaging pages on mobile will also become more responsive, accommodating a wider range of mobile devices and screen sizes.

Why Are We Making These Changes
Members and their clients increasingly use mobile devices to complete tasks, and about two-thirds of all portal visits are on mobile devices. These changes make it easier for clients and members to communicate with each other about listings using their mobile devices.

If you use a mobile device (Flexmls Pro for Android, Flexmls Mobile Web, or the Flexmls Portal) to access Flexmls you will be excited to hear that we’ve made the maps on your devices more responsive for you and your clients.

When Will It Change
This update became available on May 14, 2019.

Who Will Be Affected
Members who use the Flexmls Pro Android app or mobile website and clients who view the Flexmls Portal on a mobile device will notice these updates.

What Will Change
Previously, when a mobile user viewed listings on the map, the map display area was determined by that user’s current location. If the user searched for listings outside of their current location, they would need to pan the map or change the zoom level to find their listings. If location services were turned off on the mobile device, the default map area for the MLS was displayed, even if search results were displayed off the map.

With this change, the map view will adapt to the user’s search.

• If the user specifies a location in their search, the map view adjusts to the area where the search results are located. The zoom level will also adjust to an appropriate level so that listing icons are clearly displayed.
• If no location is specified in the search, the default map view determines the area that is displayed.

As always, if location services are turned on for the device, the My Location (crosshairs) button can be used to recenter the map on the user’s current location.

Why Are We Making These Changes
You and your clients are increasingly using your mobile devices to work with Flexmls, and we realize that a location-aware map is critical. These changes make the map even more useful for those who search for, view and work with listings on mobile devices.

We know that your clients depend on you for fast, accurate listing information and an increasing number are viewing listings from their mobile devices. As a result, starting on November 29th, we’re updating the Flexmls mobile portal homepage with more emphasis on your brand and contact information and updating the Saved tab, making it easier to navigate.

When Will It Change
These updates will be available on November 29, 2018.

Who Will Be Affected
All clients using the portal on mobile websites will receive these updates.

What Will Change
Homepage
Just as before, when on a mobile website, your portal’s homepage will feature your photo, contact information, messages, and your active listings. Your profile photo is now larger and clicking the Show More link will expand your profile to display your full contact information (all phone numbers, email addresses, website and physical address).

Saved Tab
The Saved tab (Star icon) is being updated to display searches and listing collections in distinctly separate containers. Each container also has a short description, making it easy for your clients to understand what each section contains.

Additionally, if a search has an active subscription, it will be labeled as Subscribed. Clients can manage the subscription by tapping on the search, and toggling the Receive Notifications option at the top of the search screen. Turning notifications on enables the subscription so they can receive automatic updates via email.

If the contact has not previously opted-in to receiving listing updates via email, they will receive an email allowing them to do so. A dialogue box on the screen lets them know that they should check their email and opt-in to receive future listing updates. Please note that clients only have to opt-in one time; if a client has opted-in to receiving listing updates previously, they will not be asked to do so again.

If their email address is undeliverable, a dialogue box on the screen notifies them and provides directions on how to update their email address.

Easily Accessible Options
When viewing listings, you may find yourself scrolling down the page. As you scroll, the Filter, Share, and More options will stay at the top of the screen instead of scrolling away. No need to return to the top of the page to access those options. This feature will be available to agents and clients when viewing listings.

Why Are We Making These Changes
These updates are part of our ongoing commitment to improve the Flexmls Portal experience on mobile devices. The updates to the homepage place greater emphasis on your profile photo and allow your clients to access all of your contact information quickly and conveniently. The updates to the Search tab make navigating the page more intuitive and keeps the process for managing subscriptions the same as the full portal website, creating more consistency between platforms.