The system is designed to allow you to easily find the properties you are looking for.  ABD search features a location drill down in the USA from the country level down though state, county, city and zip code levels.  You are able to specify a wide range of search criteria that is unique to each property type. 

You are able select and modify search parameters and see the results instantly without leaving the page.   

Enjoy and have fun!  If you have any questions not answered in this document  or need additional information, please visit our help page or contact us at:  Webmaster@ABigDeal.com 
 

The search system is divided into four frames, each frame having a specific function (see diagram below).  

The first frame (top left) is the main search frame where your search will begin.  Here you set your main search parameters.  

You will use the second frame (bottom left) to drill down to a specific location.  

The third frame (top right) allows you to search based on specific criteria related to the property type you selected in the main search frame. 

Finally, the fourth frame (bottom right) displays the search results with a count at the top indicating the number of properties the search has found.  

The first three frames have their own search button.  When you make changes to the items in a frame, you will need to press the search button in that same frame to activate those changes. 

The first three frames also have their own reset button.  Pressing the reset button will reset that frame's information back to default values.  Pressing reset in the first frame will reset the entire search back to default values. 
 

Frame 1 - Main Search 
Your search starts here.  The main search frame allows you to set high level search criteria. 

Property Type: Selects the property type 

Full Detail Properties Only: Check this box to eliminate property advertisements, showing only those properties with full details 

Search Comps: Check this box to search the sold database instead of the active database.  This option is only available to ABD subscribers. 

Region: Selects a high level geographic search area.  If you intend on searching at the region level, be sure Country is set to "None". 

Country: Selects a country as your search area.  You will need to select a Country to see drill down options in frame 2 below. 

Search Button: Starts search with the selected options.  Will also set the other search frames with the appropriate information.  The Search Results (Frame 4) will update based on your new search information. 

Reset Button: Resets the entire search back to default values.  The ABD Search System remembers your last search.  Even if you come back a month later to search, all settings will be set to what you used for your last search.  If you wish to start over, press the reset button to start the search over with no remembered items. 

Frame 2 - Location Search 
This frame allows you to drill down to more specific geographic areas.  You must select a country in the first frame in order to use this feature.  If you are searching in the USA, you will have the option of drilling down to state, county, city, and zip code levels.  For other countries, you may select a state/province, city, and postal code. 

USA Searches 
For each level you may select one or more areas (hold the Ctrl key down while clicking to select multiple areas).  To search on the areas selected, press the Search button.  To drill down to a lower level, press the Show button.  You may then select one or more areas at this lower level just as you did above and either search or drill down further. 

Show Button: Drills down to the next level (county, city, zip code) based on your selection(s).  The frame will refresh and show all levels you have selected plus the new lower level. 

Search Button: Searches based on your selections.  The search will always use the lowest geographic level you have selected.  The Search Results (Frame 4) will update based on your new search information. 

Reset Button: Resets the location search.  If you press search after resetting without selecting a state, your search will return to the country level.  

Non USA Searches 
If you selected a country other than the USA, you will be prompted for a state/province, city, and postal code.  All items are optional.  Enter your search criteria then press the Search button to search based on the information you have provided. 

Search Button: Searches based on your selections.  The search will always use the lowest geographic level you have selected.  The Search Results (Frame 4) will update based on your new search information. 

Reset Button: Resets the location search.  If you press search after resetting without entering any information, your search will return to the country level. 

Frame 3 - Property Search 
The property search frame gives you the capability of narrowing down the properties found even further by specifying details about the properties you are interested in.  Each property type has its own unique search items.  All items are optional.  After filling in and selecting the search items, use the Search button to search with your specific information.  The Search Results (Frame 4) will update based on your new search information. 

Search Items: All items are optional.  You may specify as much or as little search information as you wish.  Use this information to narrow your search.  Pressing the Search button will update the search results in frame 4.  You may go back and make any changes you wish in any of the frames.  Just remember to press the search button in the corresponding frame to activate those changes. 

Properties Per Page: Selects the number of properties to display at once in the search results frame (frame 4). 

Search Button: Searches based on your selections.  The Search Results (Frame 4) will update based on your new search information. 

Reset Button: Resets the property search information back to defaults.  This will only reset the items in frame 3.

Frame 4 - Search Results 
The results of your search are displayed here.  You will see a one line display for each property found in your search.  At the top of this frame you will see a property count.  This shows the number of properties the search found using all the search information you have specified.

Viewing Property Details: Click on the property ID of the property you wish to view details for.  A new window will display for that property.  After viewing the details, close that window by pressing the close button in the new window.

Mapping the Property: To see the property pinpointed on a street map, click on the property location.  A map will display in frame 4.  Use your browser's back button to return to the result list.  Note, some properties may not be mapped and the location will not be clickable.

Display More Properties: Press this button to display the next page of properties.  You control the number of properties displayed on each page with the properties per page selection in frame 3.

Previous Page: Press this button to return to the previous page of properties.

Search Features 
Search Memory
ABD will remember your last search.  So when you visit the search again you will start with the selections you last used.  This can be very handy if you search in a specific location often, or search for similar properties each time.  Pressing the reset button in frame 1 will erase the search memory and start a new search for you.

Resetting
You will notice a reset button in each frame.  This button will reset the selections in that specific frame back to default settings.  The exception to this is in the first frame.  The first frame's reset button is a master reset and will reset all the frames to default settings. 

Ease of Use
You may go back and make changes to the search items at any time in any frame.  Just remember to press the search button in the corresponding frame to activate those changes.

Resizing the frames
You may drag the frame borders with your mouse to resize the frame sizes to your liking.  To reset the sizes back to default, press the reset button in frame 1.

Browser Settings
Java, JavaScript, and Style Sheets must be enabled.  Your browser should also be set to accept cookies.   These are normally the default settings for web browsers.

Window Settings
ABD is best viewed with your desktop area (also referred to as screen resolution) set to 800x600 pixels or higher.  Also, you should set your color palette to at least 256 colors.  See your operating system help on changing these settings.