How to Use Map Shape Filters in RealScout Search
Map shape filters let you draw custom geographic boundaries on the map to refine property search results. Use them to target a specific neighborhood, set a radius around a school or workplace, or exclude areas your client wants to avoid.
Note: The steps differ slightly between Standard Search and AI Search. Both are covered below.
RealScout Search
Drawing tools are located in the School & Location Boundaries section. You can draw both included shapes (listings inside appear) and excluded shapes (listings inside are hidden) in the same search.
Scroll to School & Location Boundaries and expand it.
Under Drawn Map Shapes, click Select shapes or draw on the map.
Select Draw on the map to add shapes here.
Click the pencil icon in the upper-right corner of the map.
Choose your shape type:
Shape | Effect |
Draw a polygon | Freehand boundary — includes listings inside |
Draw an excluded polygon | Freehand boundary — excludes listings inside |
Draw a circle | Radius boundary — includes listings inside |
Draw an excluded circle | Radius boundary — excludes listings inside |
Click on the map to draw. For polygons, click each corner and close the shape by clicking your starting point. For circles, click the center and drag to set the radius.
The shape appears labeled (Polygon 1, Circle 1, etc.) and results update automatically.
Note: Excluded shapes appear with an orange tint. Listings inside an excluded shape are always removed, even if they fall within an included shape.
You can combine multiple included and excluded shapes in a single search. For example, draw a polygon around a school district (included) and an excluded circle around a busy intersection.
To edit or delete a shape, click its label on the map (Polygon 1, Circle 1, etc.) to access the edit and delete controls.
AI Search
In AI Search, you first add Drawn Map Shapes as a filter. The operator you set on the filter row controls whether shapes include or exclude listings — there are no separate excluded shape tools here.
Open AI Search or go to Search → AI Search.
In the filter panel, click
Add Filters
.
Search for map shapes, check Drawn Map Shapes, and click Apply Changes.
On the new filter row, set the operator:
Inside drawn shape — include listings within the shape
Outside drawn shape — exclude listings within the shape
Click the pencil icon in the filter row to choose your shape type:
Draw a Polygon — freehand boundary
Draw a Circle — radius boundary
Draw on the map. Click points for a polygon, or click and drag for a circle.
The shape appears labeled in the filter row (Circle 1, Polygon 1, etc.) and results update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an excluded shape and "Outside drawn shape"?
The result is the same — listings within the drawn area are removed. In Standard Search, use the excluded shape drawing tools. In AI Search, set the filter operator to Outside drawn shape.
Can I save a search with map shapes?
Yes. Once your shapes are drawn and results look right, click Save Search. If you attach a contact and set up an alert, the map shape filter applies to all future alert emails.
Do map shapes carry over if I switch from Standard Search to AI Search?
No. Map shape filters don't transfer between search modes. You'll need to re-add the Drawn Map Shapes filter and redraw your shapes in AI Search.
How do I delete a shape?
In Standard Search, click the shape label on the map and click the trash icon. In AI Search, click the X next to the shape name in the filter row (e.g., Circle 1 ✕).
Can I use map shapes alongside school district filters in Standard Search?
Yes. School district filters and drawn map shapes work together in the same search. By default, listings matching either filter will appear in results.