How to use Plot Eval

Overview

Plot Eval turns property lists (tax sale CSVs, county exports, or your own spreadsheets) into a single research workspace. You create a dataset, upload a CSV, and the site enriches rows with county GIS when your county tier supports it (full or limited GIS), geocodes addresses when it can, grades where readiness allows, and puts properties on a map. Upload-only counties focus on import, addresses, and your research workflow without county parcel automation. Free Explorer lets you try this with 1 active dataset, up to 100 properties, 3 active reminders, basic map access, and no exports for 30 days from your first property upload or add. You then browse, filter, and open each property in a workspace (maps, checklist, notes, reminders, and status). The Dashboard surfaces upcoming reminders; Agenda and Calendar organize them by date; Decisions summarizes pipeline markings across properties. Inbox is available on Team workspaces for assignments and notifications. Paid plans unlock export when you need a spreadsheet copy. Check Supported counties for what applies to each jurisdiction.

1. Dashboard (home)

After signing in, you land on the Dashboard at /datasets. This is your home for all datasets. Each part of the screen is described below.

1.1 Header and primary action

Dashboard (title)

Page heading; confirms you are on the datasets list.

Welcome back, [name]

Greeting under the title; [name] is from your account email.

New dataset (button)

Primary action. Opens the create-dataset form (name + county). Use this before uploading any CSV.

[N] dataset(s)

Count of datasets you own; shown next to the New dataset button.

1.2 KPI summary row

Three cards summarize properties across all your datasets:

Total properties

Sum of all properties in all datasets.

Enriched

Count of properties that have a map centroid from geocoding and/or county-backed fields when county GIS enrichment applies for that dataset's county tier.

Enrichment (with progress bar)

Percentage of properties considered enriched for that dataset. 100% means every row has the location side covered (e.g. geocode); deep county GIS fill depends on county tier and successful matches.

1.3 Properties per dataset chart

A bar chart shows each dataset name and two bars per dataset: total properties (e.g. blue) and enriched count. Use it to see which datasets still need geocoding or GIS follow-up (within what each county supports).

1.4 Your datasets (cards)

Each dataset appears as a card. Component breakdown:

Dataset name

Title of the card (e.g. "PG County tax Sale 2026"). You set this when creating the dataset.

County badge / Created date

County name and creation date under the title.

Map preview

Small static map of property locations in that dataset, if any have coordinates.

[N] properties and [N] enriched

Property count and how many are enriched for that dataset.

Open dataset →

Appears on hover. Click anywhere on the card to open the Browse view for that dataset.

1.5 Next actions, reminders, and global views

When you have properties, the Dashboard also shows a Next actions panel: upcoming and overdue reminders you attached on property pages (follow-ups, deadlines, auction dates). Use View all reminders to open the full Agenda at /agenda. The top app navigation includes Agenda, Decisions (workspace-wide summary of statuses and recent activity), and Calendar (month view of reminders). On Team plans, Inbox can list assignments and team notifications.

2. Create a dataset

You must create a dataset before uploading a CSV. The dataset stores your properties and is tied to one county (which controls whether parcel GIS jobs and county layer enrichment are offered). Steps and form fields are below.

2.1 Opening the form

On the Dashboard, click the New dataset button (top right). A panel opens with the title "Create a new dataset" and two fields.

2.2 Form fields (component list)

Dataset name (required)

Free text, for your reference only (e.g. "PG Tax Sale 2024", "Marathon tax sale 2026"). Shown on the Dashboard card and in the Browse bar.

County (required)

Dropdown of supported counties. This choice controls capability tier (full GIS, limited GIS, or upload-only) and which county ArcGIS templates apply. Parcel ID match and county GIS layers run only for GIS-enabled tiers with a complete parcel config; upload-only still supports import, addresses, notes, and pipeline tools. Same CSV can behave differently if you pick a different county. Pick the county that matches your CSV geography and identifiers (e.g. Maryland state uses ACCTID for parcel match when that option applies).

2.3 Submit and next step

Create dataset (button)

Submits the form. On success, the new dataset appears as a card on the Dashboard. Click that card to open Browse, then use the Import button to upload your CSV (see section 3).

3. Import CSV (Upload)

To add properties to a dataset, open that dataset from the Dashboard (click its card), then use the Import panel on the Browse page. Below: where to find it, each part of the upload form, and what runs after you upload.

3.1 Where to find the Import panel

On the Browse page, the top bar shows the dataset name and two action buttons. Component list:

Dataset name

Title of the current dataset (same as on the Dashboard card).

County badge

Small pill with the dataset's county (e.g. Prince George's County).

X props / Y% enriched

Property count and enrichment percentage for this dataset.

Import (button, upload icon)

Click to expand the upload panel. When expanded, the button is highlighted.

Health (button, chevron)

Click to expand the health panel (grade distribution and other stats). Import and Health cannot both be open at once.

3.2 Upload CSV form (component list)

After clicking Import, the panel shows:

Source type (dropdown)

Kind of data (e.g. Tax sale). Affects how rows are matched to properties and how evidence is stored.

CSV file (file input)

Choose a CSV from your device. The file must include at least one of: parcel identifier (APN, PIN, tax ID, etc.), address, or owner per import rules. Typical column headers: parcel_id, address, taxes_owed, sale_year, advertised_owner—the importer maps your headers to canonical fields.

Upload & process (button)

Starts the import. The site creates an import record, parses the CSV, matches rows to properties (by parcel ID and/or address), and attaches evidence (e.g. taxes owed, sale year). Duplicate parcels are merged; multiple imports into the same dataset increase convergence score for repeat appearances.

3.3 Import History

In the same panel, a collapsible section Import History lists recent imports. Each row shows: status (e.g. done, processing, failed), filename, row count, and processed count. Use it to confirm an upload finished successfully.

3.4 What runs after you upload

After processing, the site automatically runs a short enrichment pass on the first 100 properties (same order every time). You may see progress like "Resolving parcels…", "Geocoding addresses…", "Spatial parcel matching…", "Fetching polygons…". In order: Parcel ID match (batch lookup against the county parcel layer—only when the dataset's county is GIS-enabled with a configured layer; otherwise this step completes with no ArcGIS fill), Geocode (addresses to coordinates; parcel-only ArcGIS follow-up inside geocoding also respects the same county gate), Spatial parcel match (geocoded points intersected with the parcel layer when offered), then Polygons (parcel geometry when exposed for that county). Upload-only counties still geocode addresses when possible; county parcel and layer jobs are skipped by design. See section 4 and Supported counties for tier details.

4. Parcel match, geocode, and map enrichment

These steps usually run automatically right after you upload (section 3.4). They run in the background; you do not need to click anything for that first pass. The UI may still show "Resolving parcels…" as the first label even when your county is upload-only—those ArcGIS-backed steps simply no-op while geocoding can still run for addresses.

County tier matters. Parcel ID match, spatial parcel match, and county ArcGIS polygon fetch are offered only when the dataset's county is marked GIS-enabled with a full or limited capability tier and a complete parcel-layer configuration. Upload-only (or GIS-off) counties skip those jobs by design so the product matches the badges you saw when creating the dataset. See Supported counties.

4.1 Parcel ID match (progress: "Resolving parcels…")

What it does when offered

Batch lookup by the parcel identifier you mapped (APN, PIN, tax ID, etc.) against the county or state parcel layer configured for the dataset. Successful hits fill or update fields such as zoning, assessed value, owner, lot size, year built, flood, schools, and roads into county_data.

When it does not run

For upload-only or GIS-disabled counties, or when the parcel layer URL or ID field is missing in config, the request returns without writing county GIS rows—your list and addresses are unchanged.

How it runs

In batches (e.g. 100 rows per call) with rate limits to protect county GIS servers.

Downstream

For counties that expose community or environmental layers, those jobs typically build on resolved parcel context and geometry when your tier includes them.

4.2 Geocode (progress: "Geocoding addresses…")

What it does

Sends street addresses to the geocoder (e.g. Mapbox) to get latitude and longitude, then stores a centroid so rows can map.

Parcel-only rows

When a row has a parcel ID but no address text, the geocode step may try a county ArcGIS lookup to backfill address components—only for the same GIS-enabled gate as parcel ID match.

Why it matters

Map display and spatial enrichment need coordinates; upload-only counties still benefit from geocoding when addresses exist.

4.3 Spatial parcel match (progress: "Spatial parcel matching…")

For properties with an address but no parcel match yet, the app can geocode (if needed) and intersect the point with the county parcel layer to pick a single parcel. Same county tier gate as parcel ID match; disabled counties return without changes. Multi-hit parcels are skipped to avoid wrong assignments.

4.4 Parcel polygons (progress: "Fetching polygons…")

Optionally fetches parcel geometry for map display. Availability depends on the county configuration and tier; when polygons exist, parcels can render as shapes instead of only pins.

5. Understanding grades

Each property has three score dimensions. The investment grade uses letter grades A+ through F. Below: the three dimensions, how letter grades work, and where you see them in the UI.

5.1 Three score dimensions (component list)

Data readiness

0–100 score: how complete the record is (address, parcel ID, geocode, county data, owner). Until this is high enough (e.g. ≥ 50), the investment grade shows "Pending" because the system does not yet have enough data to score fairly.

Investment potential

Letter grade A+ through F, derived from tax-to-value ratio, zoning, flood risk, lot size, owner-occupied status, repeat tax sale, and similar signals. Shown only when data readiness is sufficient. This is the main grade you filter and sort by in Browse.

Research progress

0–100: how much you have vetted the property (checklist items, notes, status changes). Shown as a small progress ring in the table and on the property page. Improves as you complete checklist items and add notes.

5.2 Grade letters (A+ through F)

Investment potential, site evaluation, and combined grades all use the same letter scale. Higher score = better letter. Grouped for reference:

• A+ (90+), A (85–89), A− (80–84)
• B+ (75–79), B (68–74), B− (60–67)
• C+ (52–59), C (42–51), C− (32–41)
• D (18–31), F (0–17)

Tax-to-value ratio is included in the breakdown when we have both taxes owed and assessed value. Grades are tools to prioritize research, not legal or investment advice.

5.3 Where you see grades in the UI

Grades row (Browse bar)

Below the dataset name bar: one chip per letter (A, B, C, D, F) with the count of properties in that grade. Shown when the Health panel is closed. Lets you see distribution at a glance.

Health panel (Browse)

Click Health to expand a panel with grade distribution and other dataset health stats.

Table (Browse)

Each row shows the property's investment letter (and often data readiness / research progress rings). Click a row to open the property workspace.

Property page (grade badge)

Click the grade badge to open a breakdown of which signals added or subtracted points.

6. Browse: table, map, filters

The Browse page is the main view for a dataset. You see the dataset bar, grades row, view toggles, filters, export, table, and map. Each component is described below.

6.1 Dataset bar and actions

See section 3.1 for the full component list (dataset name, county badge, props/enriched stats, Import, Health). Click Import to upload CSV; click Health to see grade distribution and health stats.

6.2 Grades row

Directly under the dataset bar (when Health is closed): one chip per letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) with the number of properties in that grade. See section 5.3 for details.

6.3 View toggles

Split

Shows table and map side by side. Default view.

Map

Map only; hides the table.

Table

Table only; hides the map.

6.4 Filters and Export CSV

Filters (button)

Opens the filter panel. Filter by: status (New, Researching, Shortlist, Ignore), grade, zoning, year built, lot size, taxes owed, convergence, flags, and more. Sort by grade, convergence, last updated, address, etc. Saved filter presets are available when configured.

Export CSV (button)

Downloads the current list (respecting active filters) as a CSV with key fields and grades on paid plans. Free Explorer keeps exports locked so the free tier remains an evaluation workflow. See section 8.

6.5 Table

Each row is one property. Components:

Address / parcel

Primary identifier; may show address or parcel ID.

Status pill

New, Researching, Shortlist, or Ignore. Use filters to show only e.g. Shortlist.

Grade

Investment letter (A+–F) or Pending.

Data readiness / Research progress

Small progress rings or values.

Taxes, convergence, flags

Other key fields. Click the row to open the property workspace.

6.6 Map

Pins for each property; color can reflect status or grade. Click a pin to open that property. Map controls (zoom, layers, street/satellite) appear on or beside the map. "X / Y mapped" indicates how many properties have coordinates and are visible.

7. Property workspace

Click a property row or map pin in Browse to open its property workspace (detail page). Layout may be a single column or a three-panel "terminal" layout (left: pipeline navigator; center: content; right: research panel). Each part of the workspace is described below.

7.1 Header and navigation

← Browse

Link back to the dataset Browse page.

← Prev / Next →

Move to the previous or next property in the list without leaving the workspace. Shown when the dataset has more than one property.

Position (e.g. 1/5)

Current index in the filtered list.

Address / parcel ID

Primary heading for the property.

Owner, Parcel, Missing: [field], Repeat, Converged

Secondary chips: owner name, parcel ID, missing-data warnings, repeat-appearance and convergence indicators.

7.2 Verdict and signals (terminal layout)

When the terminal layout is on, the center column starts with:

Verdict banner

Combined grade label (e.g. Strong Candidate, Review, Low Priority), letter and score, next step (research cue), and "Private by design" line.

Signals grid

Six cards: Data Readiness, Investment Potential, Site Evaluation, Convergence, HOA Risk, Record coverage, Research Progress. Each shows a value and short explanation. Use them to see at a glance why a property scores as it does.

7.3 Map

Street / Satellite / Street view

Toggles for base map and street view. Use street view for curb appeal and access.

7.4 Scores block

Data readiness

Completeness of the record (see section 5.1).

Investment grade

Letter (A+–F) or Pending. Click the grade to open the full breakdown (which signals added or subtracted points).

Site score

0–100 and letter from Plot Eval (location, access, buildability, etc.) when available.

Research progress

Ring or value from checklist, notes, and status.

Tax-to-value ratio

Shown when we have both taxes owed and assessed value.

7.5 Detail sections (collapsible)

Scrollable blocks; expand/collapse by section:

Owner & Ownership

Owner names (tax sale vs county), parcel ID, mailing address, owner-occupied, tenancy, last transfer, last sale, sale type. Discrepancy note if tax-sale and county owner names differ.

Tax Assessment & History

Current taxes owed, assessed value, land/improvements, tax class, exempt class, tax map. Link to MD SDAT when available. Timeline of tax sale history by year.

Property Details

Zoning, land use, plan area, year built, structure sqft, dwelling type, lot (acres/sqft), subdivision, census tract/block, municipality, watershed, waterfront, street paved, legal description, plat/lot/block/liber/folio.

Radius Evaluation

County context card and parcels-in-radius summary (count, acreage, vacant %, etc.). Depends on county parcel sync or dataset-only data.

Location & Access

Schools (district, elementary, middle, high), road access (frontage, class, owner, type, speed limit), service districts (council, police, fire), utilities (water, sewer).

Environmental & Hydrology

FEMA flood zone, slope, wetlands, streams, flood plain, Chesapeake Bay CCA, scenic easement, agriculture, historic resource/site.

Evidence Trail

List of evidence items (type, source, date, taxes owed, sale year, owner) attached to the property.

Risks / Flags

Data-quality or risk flags (type, severity, note). Critical flags are called out.

7.6 Research panel (right or drawer)

On desktop it appears on the right; on mobile it may be in a drawer. Components:

Checklist

Due-diligence items (e.g. zoning verified, title checked). Check off as you research. Completing items increases research progress.

Notes

Add timestamped notes. Preserves research history.

Reminders

Add follow-up and due dates (e.g. auction, title pull, site visit). They appear on the property timeline, in the Dashboard Next actions list, and on Agenda / Calendar. Mark complete when done.

Status

Set to New, Researching, Shortlist, or Ignore. Use Shortlist for properties you want to pursue; filter by status in Browse. Changing status also affects research progress.

In terminal layout, the pipeline navigator (left panel) lists properties so you can jump to another without going back to Browse.

8. Export CSV

From the Browse page, paid plans can download the current property list as a CSV. The export respects the active filters, so you can export e.g. only Shortlist or only A/B grades. Free Explorer does not include exports; upgrade when you need a spreadsheet copy. Component list:

Export CSV (button)

Located near the Filters button on the Browse page. Click to trigger the download. The file includes key fields (address, parcel, status, grades, taxes, convergence, etc.) for every property in the current filtered list.

Filters apply

If you have filters active (e.g. status = Shortlist, grade A or B), only those properties are included in the CSV. To export the full dataset, clear filters first.

Use the CSV for offline analysis, reporting, or sharing with others. Format is standard spreadsheet-friendly (comma-separated, header row).

9. Reminders, Agenda, Decisions, Inbox

Beyond Browse and each property page, Plot Eval gives you cross-cutting views so deadlines and decisions do not live only in your head.

Reminders (property page)

Created from the property workspace (timeline / reminders panel). Each reminder has a date and title; overdue items are highlighted on the Dashboard.

Agenda (/agenda)

List of upcoming and overdue reminders across datasets, with links back to the property.

Calendar (/calendar)

Month grid of the same reminders; click a day to inspect what is due.

Decisions (/decisions)

Workspace-level view of decision activity and statuses so you can review the pipeline without opening each row.

Inbox (/inbox)

On Team workspaces, may show assignments and notifications; availability depends on your plan and workspace setup.