Using GeoLocator

QUESTION: Why is "Edit" is grayed out on the Menu Bar? I also see "Add Listing", "Add Subject", and "Add Comparable" grayed out under the GeoLocate menu. How do I enable these commands?

SOLUTION: Select File | New from the Menu Bar. This should be the first step you make after your GeoLocator map opens. Be careful though, selecting File | New can also clear off any labels, paste-ons, or property markers you have on your map. If you already have a map data file open and want to save the property locations, use the File | Save As command to save the map and give it a name.

QUESTION: Can I display two counties on the same map?

If you are using a GeoLocator/Desktop version installed from a CD-ROM (Versions 4 thru 9), you might consider updating to our new GeoLocator/OnLine which is unrestricted by county and covers the entire United States. Click here for details.

ANSWER: GeoLocator county maps are physically packaged into multi-county Metro Area databases. However, only one Metro Area at a time can be displayed. If your counties are in the same Metro Area then they can be displayed at the same time. If they are in two different Metro Areas, then only one set of properties can be displayed.

For example, Washtenaw county is in the DET_MI area and the county to its north is Livingston which is in the DTN_MI area. Properties from both counties cannot be displayed on the same map.

WORKAROUND: You can workaround this restriction by exporting two maps, or, if you are creating maps on a printer, you can use the File | Print All Properties to print a series of overlapping maps which will cover all the properties.

QUESTION: I cannot see a Subject or one of my Comparable arrows. Are they missing?

ANSWER: Sometimes, when a property is placed near the eastern edge of the map, a property arrow might be off the edge of the map. Try using the green Zoom Out button on the toolbar on the left edge of the map. If that does not work, try clicking on the green Auto Zoom button.

QUESTION: I cannot see the Status Bar or Scale Bar at the bottom of the map. Why?

ANSWER: GeoLocator displays status messages, a function key map, and the map scale on a bar at the bottom of the map window. If you are unable to see this bar it is because the Windows Task bar is covering the lower portion of the map window. Click-Right on a blank area of the task bar. Select Properties. Deselect "Always on Top" then restart GeoLocator.

QUESTION: The Subject and Comp labels are outside of their arrows. Why?

ANSWER: Your Windows default system font is too large. Click-Right on a blank area of the Desktop. Select Properties. Select the Settings tab. Locate the Display Font Size. Select "small fonts".

QUESTION: How do I reposition my Subject or a Comparable?

ANSWER: GeoLocator places a small circle with an "S" or a "C" to mark the estimated location of the property. Drag the circle (not the arrow) to move the property location then click to drop the property marker at the new location. The arrows are attached to the property marker circle and will follow along and the comparable proximities will be recomputed.

QUESTION: How do I show more roads on the map? Only the major roads are shown.

ANSWER: GeoLocator simplifies the view as you zoom further out. This feature helps create an uncluttered map, especially if the comparable properties are distant from the subject. If you want more detail, select View | Map Detail, then select All Roads. This will restore all the residential roads to the map.

You can permanently change how GeoLocator changes the view as you zoom out by selecting Options | Automatic Detail Levels. Select Help on the form for more information.