This comprehensive guide explains how to create and use search and display filters with Buying Buddy widgets and custom search links. Filters allow you to display specific properties based on criteria like location, price, features, and more.
Quick Start: The easiest way to create filters is using the Widget Wizard in your Buying Buddy dashboard. Navigate to , then choose "Create a Custom Search Link" or "Display Properties with Widgets". The wizard includes most common filter options.
Getting Started with Filters
1
Understand Filter Syntax
Learn the basic rules for building filters
| Add Fields | Use + between fields |
| Assign Values | Use : after field name |
| Multiple Values | Separate with commas (OR logic) |
| No Spaces | Don't add spaces around + or : |
| Example | city:denver,littleton+price_max:500000 |
Understanding AND vs OR Logic
- OR Logic (Broadens results): Multiple values separated by commas
Example:city:denver,littleton,parkerfinds properties in ANY of these cities - AND Logic (Narrows results): Multiple fields connected with
+
Example:city:denver+price_min:500000+beds_min:3finds properties matching ALL criteria
2
Choose Your Implementation
Filters work differently in widgets vs. custom links
For Widgets
Enclose filters in quotes like this data-filter="..."
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="city:denver+price_min:300000"></bb-widget>
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="city:denver+price_min:300000"]
<BuyingBuddyWidget type="FeaturedList" filter="city:denver+price_min:300000"/>
For Custom Links
Append to URL with ?filter= (no quotes). Replace spaces with %20:
https://yoursite.com/results?filter=city:Lone%20Tree+price_min:300000
Tip: Filters in URLs override any filters set on the widget itself. This lets you create dynamic links that modify widget behavior.
Important: Browsers limit URLs to 2048 characters. Keep your filters concise!
Filter Categories Reference
Filter Types: Some parameters are marked as "Filter Only" - these won't appear on search forms but can be used in filters. "Hidden" filters are not shown in search criteria and will be cleared if users modify the search.

Basic Property Filters
Location, price, beds, baths, and property features
MLS/IDX Data Values
Use any field names and values from your MLS's IDX data set. The best source for available fields is the Widget Wizard in your Buying Buddy dashboard.
Common Property Filters
- MLS ID:
mls_id:{your_mls_id} - Cities:
city:denver,littleton,aurora - ZIP Codes:
zip:80202,80203 - Price Range:
price_min:200000+price_max:500000 - Bedrooms:
beds_min:3orbeds:4(exact) - Bathrooms:
baths_min:2 - Square Feet:
sqft_min:2000+sqft_max:3500 - Property Type:
property_type:single-family,condo - Year Built:
year_built_min:2010
Example: Complete Property Search
data-filter="mls_id:denver+city:denver,aurora+price_min:300000+price_max:600000+beds_min:3+baths_min:2+property_type:single-family"
Map-Based Filters
Shape Search: Use the Widget Wizard to generate map area filters with latitude/longitude coordinates.
Radius Search: radius:39.7392%20-104.9903,5
Format: radius:LAT%20LON,RADIUS
Supported radius values: 0.25, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20 miles

Agent & Office Filters
Filter by agent, office, or team listings (Filter Only)
Note: These are "filter only" fields - they won't appear on search forms.
Agent ID Filter
Syntax: agent_id:12345 or agent_id:12345,67890 for multiple agents
How it works:
- Active listings: Matches listing agent OR co-listing agent
- Sold listings: Matches listing agent OR selling agent (buyer's agent)
- Can also use team IDs if supported by your MLS
Examples
// Show all active listings for agent 12345 data-filter="agent_id:12345" // Show sold listings for agents 12345 or 67890 data-filter="agent_id:12345,67890+listing_status:sold"
Buyer's Agent Filter (Sold Only)
Syntax: seller_id:12345
Shows sold listings where the specified agent was the buyer's agent. Only relevant with listing_status:sold
Office ID Filter
Syntax: office_id:ABC01 or office_id:ABC01,XYZ02
How it works:
- Active listings: Matches listing office OR co-listing office
- Sold listings: Matches listing office OR selling office
Advanced Example: Office Listings with Agent Priority
// Show office listings with agent 12345's listings first data-filter="office_id:ABC01+order:FIELD(agent_id,'12345') desc,create_dt desc"

Date & Time Filters
Listing dates, sold dates, price changes, and open houses
Recently Listed Properties
Syntax: create_dt:{days}
Shows properties added to the database within the specified number of days.
// Properties listed in last 7 days data-filter="create_dt:7" // Properties listed in last 30 days, sorted by newest first data-filter="create_dt:30+order:create_dt desc"
Aged/Distressed Listings
Syntax: create_dt_min:{days}
Shows properties that have been listed for MORE than the specified number of days.
// Properties listed for more than 90 days data-filter="create_dt_min:90"
Price Reductions
Syntax: price_drop:{days} (1-30 days)
// Properties with price drop in last 7 days data-filter="price_drop:7"
Sold Properties
Note: Sold data filters only work if your account includes sold data.
Recently Sold: sold_dt:{days}
// Properties sold in last 30 days data-filter="sold_dt:30+listing_status:sold" // Properties sold in last 6 months, sorted by sale date data-filter="sold_dt:180+listing_status:sold+order:sold_dt desc"
Sold Date Range: sold_range_min:yyyy-mm-dd and sold_range_max:yyyy-mm-dd
// Properties sold in 2024 data-filter="sold_range_min:2024-01-01+sold_range_max:2024-12-31" // Properties sold since January 1, 2024 data-filter="sold_range_min:2024-01-01"
Open Houses
Syntax: openhouse_dt:{value}
Available values:
tomorrow- Open houses tomorrowweekend- This weekendnext-weekend- Next weekend7,10,14,30- Next X days
// Open houses this weekend data-filter="openhouse_dt:weekend+order:openhouse_dt desc"

Display & Sorting Options
Control how properties are displayed and ordered
Limiting Results
Syntax: limit:{number}
Controls how many properties to display. Ignored on Results and Interactive Map widgets.
// Show only 5 properties data-filter="city:denver+limit:5"
Sorting Results
Syntax: order:{field} {direction}
Direction is optional: use desc for descending (high to low) or leave blank for ascending (low to high).
Common Sort Options
order:price desc- Highest price firstorder:price- Lowest price firstorder:create_dt desc- Newest listings firstorder:sold_dt desc- Most recently sold first (sold listings only)order:openhouse_dt desc- Soonest open houses firstorder:city- Alphabetical by cityorder:rand()- Random order
Nested Sorting
Sort by multiple criteria using commas:
// Sort by city, then by price (high to low) order:city,price desc
Agent Priority Sorting
Show specific agent's listings first using FIELD:
// Single agent priority order:FIELD(agent_id,'12345') desc // Multiple agents priority order:FIELD(agent_id,'12345','67890') desc,create_dt desc
Display Filters
Only show properties with photos: prop_img:true
// Featured listings with photos only data-filter="city:denver+prop_img:true+limit:6"
Hide widget when no listings: nolistingshide:{html-class}
Hides the specified HTML container if there are no results. Useful for "My Listings" sections.

Advanced Operators & Status
Exclusions, ranges, and listing status options
Suffix Operators
Note: These are hidden filters - not shown on search forms.
Available Suffixes
_min- Minimum value_max- Maximum value_not- Exclude values
Examples
// Minimum 3200 sqft sqft_min:3200 // Maximum 2 car garage garages_max:2 // Exclude short sales financing_not:short // Exclude multiple values financing_not:short,foreclosure
Combining Include and Exclude
// Include HUD homes but exclude short sales financing:hud+financing_not:short
Listing Status
Syntax: listing_status:{status}
Available status options (varies by MLS):
active- Active listings (default, includes coming-soon if available)under-contract- Under contract/pendingsold- Sold propertiesactive-rental- Rental properties (if available)coming-soon- Coming soon only
Important: Status filters are "filter only" - they don't appear on search forms. Under-contract and sold statuses are not available in search/modify panels.
Sold Properties Special Notes
- Sold price field:
sold_price - Filter by sold price:
sold_price_min:300000+sold_price_max:500000 - Sort by sold price:
order:sold_price desc
// Sold properties in Denver, $300k-$500k, newest sales first data-filter="city:denver+listing_status:sold+sold_price_min:300000+sold_price_max:500000+order:sold_dt desc"
Quick Reference: Common Filter Recipes
๐ Copy & Customize These Examples
Agent/Office Listings
My Listings Only
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="agent_id:YOUR_AGENT_ID+limit:10+order:create_dt desc"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="agent_id:YOUR_AGENT_ID+limit:10+order:create_dt desc"></bb-widget>
Office Listings with My Listings First
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedGallery" data-filter="office_id:YOUR_OFFICE_ID+order:FIELD(agent_id,'YOUR_AGENT_ID') desc,create_dt desc"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedGallery" data-filter="office_id:YOUR_OFFICE_ID+order:FIELD(agent_id,'YOUR_AGENT_ID') desc,create_dt desc"></bb-widget>
Market Activity
Recently Reduced Properties
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="price_drop:7+city:denver+limit:6"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="price_drop:7+city:denver+limit:6"></bb-widget>
New Listings This Week
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="create_dt:7+order:create_dt desc+prop_img:true"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="create_dt:7+order:create_dt desc+prop_img:true"></bb-widget>
Open Houses This Weekend
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="openhouse_dt:weekend+order:openhouse_dt desc"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="openhouse_dt:weekend+order:openhouse_dt desc"></bb-widget>
Property Types & Features
Luxury Homes ($1M+)
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedGallery" data-filter="price_min:1000000+prop_img:true+order:price desc+limit:9"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedGallery" data-filter="price_min:1000000+prop_img:true+order:price desc+limit:9"></bb-widget>
Exclude Short Sales and Foreclosures
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="financing_not:short,foreclosure+city:denver"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="financing_not:short,foreclosure+city:denver"></bb-widget>
Condos Under $300k
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="property_type:condo+price_max:300000+order:price"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="property_type:condo+price_max:300000+order:price"></bb-widget>
Custom Search Links
Neighborhood Search Link
https://yoursite.com/results?filter=city:Cherry%20Hills%20Village+price_min:800000
School District Search
https://yoursite.com/results?filter=school_district:Cherry%20Creek+property_type:single-family
Market Reports
Sold Last 6 Months
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="listing_status:sold+sold_dt:180+city:denver+order:sold_dt desc"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="listing_status:sold+sold_dt:180+city:denver+order:sold_dt desc"></bb-widget>
Distressed Properties (90+ Days)
[mbb_widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="create_dt_min:90+order:price_drop desc"]
<bb-widget data-type="FeaturedList" data-filter="create_dt_min:90+order:price_drop desc"></bb-widget>
Troubleshooting
Common Issues & Solutions
No Results Showing
- Check for conflicting criteria (e.g., sold date range with active status)
- Verify field names match your MLS exactly
- Remove filters one by one to identify the issue
- Ensure no spaces around
+or:operators
URL Too Long Error
- Browser limit is 2048 characters
- Reduce number of cities or values
- Use broader criteria (e.g., county instead of multiple cities)
Filter Not Working
- Some fields are "filter only" - won't show on search forms
- Hidden filters may be cleared when users modify search
- Check if the field is available in your MLS
- Use the Widget Wizard to verify correct field names
Need Help? The Widget Wizard in your Buying Buddy dashboard is the best tool for discovering available fields and creating filters. Access it at in your account.