This is pretty much the method I used to buy property to live in as well – with one additional step.
I used an old street directory (remember them? pre google maps?) & ripped out the pages of the suburb I wanted to live in & refused to look at anything beyond that boundary.
Took a week to find the place I’m currently living in. The ‘must haves’, ‘like to haves’ and ‘dream apartment haves’ & ‘must definitely not have’ lists & the maps really focused attention on what was important & saved a deal of time.