Radius, polygon & drawn-area search

1. Radius (Proximity) Search

The Radius Search allows users to find homes within a specific “circle” of distance from a center point.

• How it works: A user enters an address or uses their “Current Location.” They then select a distance (e.g., 2 miles, 10 km) from a dropdown or slider.

• Geocoding Logic: The plugin uses the Google Maps Geocoding API to turn the address into a mathematical point (latitude/longitude) and then calculates which listings fall within that mathematical radius.

• Use Case: “I want to see all apartments within 5 miles of the downtown tech hub.”

2. Polygon & Drawn-Area Search

Often called “Draw-A-Search,” this feature gives the user complete creative control over their search boundaries.

• The Drawing Tool: Users can click on the map to drop “pins” (vertices) that connect to form a custom shape (polygon).

• Freehand Option: Some versions allow a “freehand” mode where the user holds down the mouse and draws a circle or square directly on the map.

• Precision: Unlike a radius (which is a perfect circle), a polygon allows a user to follow specific streets or natural boundaries, like a river or a highway.

• Use Case: “I want a house specifically on the west side of the highway, but north of the park.”