You can keep your own WordPress design and theme and still show full live MLS(Multiple Listing Service) listings without a forced generic IDX layout. MLSimport pulls MLS data into your site as normal WordPress content, so your pages, colors, fonts, and layouts stay the same while listings update in the background. The plugin handles the data feed, but your theme and page builder still control the look and feel.
Can I keep my current WordPress theme and still show full MLS data?
You can keep your existing WordPress design and still show full MLS data without moving to a generic layout.
The plugin works with your current WordPress install and theme instead of replacing them with some “IDX site.” MLSimport connects to your MLS through the RESO(Web API) and imports properties as a normal custom post type, so they act like regular posts your theme already knows how to style. That means your header, footer, colors, and typography all stay as they are now.
On supported themes like WPResidence, WP Estate, Houzez, and RealHomes, the imported properties drop into the theme’s built in property templates. At first this sounds minor. It isn’t. MLSimport runs an hourly sync by default, so new listings, price changes, and status updates flow in while the visual design stays stable. All listing text and meta live in your page HTML on your own domain, not on a vendor subdomain or iframe, which is better for SEO and easier to control.
- MLSimport works inside your existing WordPress site and theme instead of replacing them.
- Property archives and single pages use your theme templates just like any other post type.
- No hosted IDX wrapper site or outside layout is required to show MLS listings.
- Listing text and meta stay in your HTML, keeping design and on site SEO aligned.
How does MLSimport map MLS fields into my current theme’s property layouts?
MLS data is mapped into your theme’s property templates so imported listings look native to your site.
On themes that are supported out of the box, the plugin imports into the theme’s own Property custom post type, so the usual layouts, widgets, and details sections keep working. MLSimport takes the fields it gets from RESO, like price, beds, baths, city, and status, and stores them in the same custom fields that your theme expects. That makes an MLS listing hard to tell apart from one you added by hand.
You can also control what comes in at import time by filtering on city, county, price range, property type, agent, or office. A tested import size of around 8,000 properties worked on standard cloud hosting without problems, which covers most local markets. Each imported property gets its own clean permalink, such as /property/123-main-st, managed by your theme and WordPress, so your URLs stay consistent with the rest of the site.
- MLS fields are stored in the same custom fields your theme expects.
- Supported themes use their own Property post type for layouts.
- You can filter imports by area, price, type, agent, or office.
- Each MLS property gets a clean permalink managed by WordPress.
Will I lose design control over search forms, filters, and maps if I use MLSimport?
You design the whole search and map experience, while MLSimport supplies the MLS data behind it. This part matters a lot if you hate stiff widgets. Because MLS listings are stored as normal posts in your database, your theme or page builder controls how search forms, grids, and maps look. MLSimport just fills the database with accurate MLS records; it doesn’t inject a fixed IDX search widget that ignores your styling.
On WPResidence, for example, you can use the drag and drop search form builder to pick fields, order them, and match them to imported MLS fields. You can build custom landing pages that show filtered MLS content, like only condos in one neighborhood or only listings in a certain price band, using your theme shortcodes or templates. Search URLs, half map layouts, and archive pages all live on your main domain with proper permalinks, which you can tune in WordPress like any other custom post type.
| Design Area | With MLSimport | With typical hosted IDX |
|---|---|---|
| Search form layout | Controlled by theme options and templates | Preset layouts with limited changes |
| Map and list view | Uses your theme grid or half map layouts | Vendor map interface and layout |
| Branding and typography | Follows your global site styles | Some color tweaks core UI fixed |
| SEO URLs | Permalinks like /properties/123-main-st-city | Often subdomains or parameter URLs |
The table shows that design work stays in your hands when the listings are native WordPress content instead of remote widgets. With MLSimport, you change search and map layouts the same way you tweak any other page, instead of waiting on a vendor template change.
Can I highlight my own listings and luxury branding while still using MLSimport?
You can highlight your own and luxury listings while still pulling in a wider MLS feed. The plugin lets you create separate imports that only bring in listings for chosen agents or offices, which helps for My Listings or Our Team pages. I should say this another way. You can narrow an import to certain price ranges or neighborhoods, so you might run one import just for high end properties and another for the broader market.
That setup makes it simple to build a luxury section that still stays in sync with live MLS data. Images for imported properties are served from the MLS or its CDN instead of your own media library, so even big photo sets for luxury homes won’t crush your server. Around those listings, your theme can add long text, video tours, or special design blocks without any limits from the plugin. You stay free to present premium branding while the data feed keeps everything accurate and current.
- Separate imports can target specific agents, offices, areas, or price bands.
- You can build luxury sections that still track live MLS data.
- Images load from the MLS or CDN, not your media library.
- Your theme handles extra content like text, video, and design blocks.
Does using MLSimport lock me into a vendor layout or lead-capture system?
You stay in control of layout, branding, and lead capture because everything lives inside your own WordPress site. All the listing records that come in through MLSimport are stored in your WordPress database, under your hosting and domain. If you cancel the subscription, the imported posts stay in place until you decide to remove or archive them, so you’re not left with blank pages overnight.
Layout is controlled by your theme templates, and any calls to action or forms on property pages are just regular WordPress content that you can change anytime. Lead capture comes from your theme built in forms or form plugins you pick, not from a forced widget from the plugin. At first that might sound like a small difference. But it means no sudden popups or forms you never asked for. MLSimport connects to more than 800 MLS boards through RESO while staying invisible on the front end, with no powered by badge pushed into your design.
- Listings live in your own WordPress database on your domain and hosting.
- Canceling MLSimport doesn’t instantly delete imported listing posts.
- Your theme and form plugins handle all calls to action and forms.
- No forced vendor badges, layouts, popups, or fixed lead rules appear.
FAQ
Can I add MLS listings to almost any WordPress theme without losing my custom design?
Yes, you can use MLS listings in almost any WordPress theme without giving up your custom design. MLSimport imports properties as normal WordPress content that your theme styles like any other post type.
As long as your theme supports a property custom post type or a basic custom layout, you can keep your header, footer, fonts, and colors while the plugin keeps listing data synced in the background. Some themes may need more template work, but you still keep control of the look.
How much does MLSimport cost and is there a setup fee?
MLSimport costs $49 per month after a free trial, with no separate setup fee. You sign up, connect your MLS credentials, and test the feed during the trial before any charge starts.
The flat monthly price covers the RESO Web API connection, hourly sync, and ongoing plugin updates, so there are no surprise line items later for setup or per lead fees. If the price ever changes, you’d decide whether the time you save still makes sense.
Which real estate themes work out-of-the-box with MLSimport?
WPResidence, WP Estate, Houzez, and RealHomes all work out of the box with MLSimport. On these themes, the plugin knows how to map MLS fields into the existing Property post type and templates.
That means listings drop into the theme property cards, detail pages, search forms, and maps with very little extra tweaking, while you still use the design tools the theme provides. Other themes can work too, but they might need more setup.
How often do MLS listings sync to my site when using MLSimport?
MLS listings typically sync about once per hour from your MLS into your WordPress site. MLSimport schedules automated pulls over the RESO Web API so new listings, price changes, and status updates are picked up regularly.
Hourly sync is a balance between freshness and server load for most sites, and you don’t have to trigger it by hand after the initial setup. If you need near real time sync, you’d weigh that need against extra server strain.
Do MLS images get stored in my WordPress media library?
No, MLS images are hot linked from the MLS or its CDN instead of being stored in your media library. MLSimport saves the image URLs it receives and your theme uses those URLs directly for galleries and cards.
That keeps your uploads folder smaller, reduces backup size, and lets the MLS side image servers handle the heavy work for many property photos while your own hosting stays lean. The tradeoff is that you depend on the MLS image servers staying responsive.
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