Filter Parameters and Options Reference

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 Menu Widgets, 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,parker finds properties in ANY of these cities
  • AND Logic (Narrows results): Multiple fields connected with +
    Example: city:denver+price_min:500000+beds_min:3 finds 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:3 or beds: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 tomorrow
  • weekend - This weekend
  • next-weekend - Next weekend
  • 7, 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 first
  • order:price - Lowest price first
  • order:create_dt desc - Newest listings first
  • order:sold_dt desc - Most recently sold first (sold listings only)
  • order:openhouse_dt desc - Soonest open houses first
  • order:city - Alphabetical by city
  • order: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/pending
  • sold - Sold properties
  • active-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

๐Ÿ“‹ 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 Menu Widgets in your account.

Updated on May 31, 2026
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