Frequently asked questions
Everything a new user usually wants to know about LAND//SCAN — the Thunder Bay property-alert service that texts you the moment a matching listing appears. Can't find your answer? Email a real person at hello@land-scan.ca.
🛰️ The basics
What is LAND//SCAN, in plain English?
It's a property-alert service for Thunder Bay. You tell us what you're looking for — a house to buy, a place to rent, a piece of land — and the moment something matching it gets listed anywhere in the city, we send you a text with a link. No apps to check, no websites to refresh. You just live your life, and your phone buzzes when something fits.
Who is this for?
Anyone who doesn't want to miss the right property: first-time buyers, renters hunting in a tight market, people looking for land or a cottage, investors, and realtors who want a heads-up before their clients do. If you've ever found out about a place after it sold, this is for you.
Does it work outside Thunder Bay?
Not yet — we're built specifically for Thunder Bay and the surrounding area, and we cover it deeply rather than spreading thin. Other regions may come later.
Is this an official realtor or brokerage site?
No. We're an independent alert service. We don't sell properties or represent buyers — we just watch the market and tell you the second something matching your search appears, with a link to the original listing so you can act on it however you like.
🚀 Getting started
How do I sign up? Do I need a credit card?
Just an email, your phone number, and what you're looking for. No credit card to start — your 7-day free trial begins right away.
What's the free trial, and what happens when it ends?
You get 7 days free, full access, no card required. When it ends, you pick a plan ($4.99 or $9.99/month) to keep your alerts running. If you do nothing, the alerts simply stop — you're never charged automatically without choosing a plan.
What's a 'saved search,' and how do I set one up?
A saved search is your wish list: buy or rent, property type, price range, number of beds, size, acreage, plus keyword tags we track like “waterfront” or “garage.” We match every new listing against it. You set one up in a couple of minutes after signing up — and you can edit it any time.
Can I search for rentals too, or just buying?
Both. There's a simple Buy / Rent toggle, and we cover for-sale homes and land and rentals (including private landlords), so renters get the same instant heads-up buyers do.
📱 The texts & my phone
How often will you text me? Will you spam me?
Only when there's a real match for your search — never marketing, never filler. Some days that's nothing; on a busy day it might be a few. You're always in control, and you can stop them instantly (see below).
What does an alert actually look like?
A short text like: “🛰️ New match for ‘Country Home’: 218 Sunflower St — $689,900, 3 bed,” with a link to the full listing. Everything you need to decide whether to act, in one glance.
How do I stop the texts?
Reply STOP to any message and they end immediately — no questions asked. You can also cancel your plan from your account any time.
Why do you need to verify my phone number?
Because the whole service is the text message — we want to be 100% sure alerts reach a real, working number (yours). When you sign up we text you a 6-digit code to confirm it's really you. It takes a few seconds and keeps the service reliable and spam-free.
Do you call me, or just text?
Just text. We'll never cold-call you.
🔍 What it watches & how it matches
Where do you get the listings?
From across the whole local market — Realtor.ca, iFind, Royal LePage, RE/MAX, Century 21, Town & Country, Signature North, Home Sweet Home, Legacy, ThunderBayHouses, RentPanda and more. Brokerages, rentals, and private sellers, all in one place, so you don't have to check ten sites yourself.
How fast is 'real-time,' really?
We scan continuously, around the clock, and send your text within minutes of a matching listing going live — usually well before it spreads around. The goal is simple: you hear first.
What can I filter by?
Buy or rent, property type (house, condo, land, etc.), price range, bedrooms, square footage, lot size/acreage, and keyword tags we track like “waterfront,” “garage,” or “finished basement.” The more specific you are, the sharper your alerts.
Why didn't I get a text for a listing I saw online?
Usually one of three things: it didn't match your search criteria (e.g. just outside your price or size range), it came from a source we don't cover, or the listing didn't clearly mention a keyword tag you'd turned on. If you think you're missing matches, loosen your filters a little or email us — we're happy to take a look.
💳 Plans & billing
What's the difference between Basic and Pro?
Basic ($4.99/month) gives you 1 saved search. Pro ($9.99/month) gives you 3 — handy if you're tracking, say, a home to buy and a rental and a piece of land at once. Both get the same real-time texts and the same full coverage of every local source.
How much does it cost? Any hidden fees?
$4.99 or $9.99 a month, flat. No setup fees, no per-text charges, no surprises. Standard text message rates from your own phone carrier may apply, as with any text.
How do I cancel? Can I get a refund?
Cancel any time from your account in a couple of taps — you'll keep access until the end of the month you've paid for, and you won't be charged again. If something's wrong, email us at hello@land-scan.ca and we'll make it right.
Can I change plans later?
Yes — upgrade from Basic to Pro (or back down) any time from your account, and your searches adjust to match.
🔒 Privacy & trust
Is my phone number safe? Do you sell my data?
Yes, and no. Your number is used for one thing — sending the alerts you asked for. We never sell, rent, or share your personal information or phone number with third parties for marketing. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. Payments are handled by Stripe, a global payment provider trusted by millions of businesses. We never see or store your card details.
How do I contact a real human?
Email us any time at hello@land-scan.ca — a real person reads it and will get back to you.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
I'm not getting any texts — what should I check?
A few quick things: make sure you finished phone verification at signup, that you haven't replied STOP (reply START to resume), and that your saved search isn't too narrow. Still nothing? Email hello@land-scan.ca and we'll sort it out.
I'm getting too many texts, or matches that aren't quite right — can I tune it?
Absolutely. Edit your saved search any time to tighten the price range, add filters, or toggle keyword tags on or off. Want fewer but sharper alerts? Be more specific. Want to catch more? Loosen up. And you can always email us for help dialing it in.
Still have a question?
Email a real person at hello@land-scan.ca — we're happy to help.