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Enhance User Experience by Adding Customized MLS Search Criteria

Make your Sierra Interactive site more user-friendly by offering tailored search options that meet the unique needs of your clients.

Table of Contents

  1. Why This Feature Matters

  2. How to Request New Search Criteria

  3. Best Practices

  4. Troubleshooting Common Issues

  5. FAQs

Why This Feature Matters

Your Sierra site displays MLS search filters based on the data fields available in your integrated MLS. By default, only the most common fields are surfaced. Requesting additional criteria allows you to:

  • Match the specific search habits of your local market (e.g., waterfront access, gated community, lot acreage)
  • Reduce the time clients spend scrolling through irrelevant listings
  • Increase lead engagement by giving buyers more control over their search experience

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How to Request New Search Criteria

Adding MLS search criteria is handled by Sierra's support team, it's not something you can configure directly in your admin area. Here's how to submit a request:

  1. Confirm the criteria exists in your MLS. Look up 2–3 active listings in your MLS that display the field you want to add. Note their MLS numbers as you'll need them in your request.
  2. Submit a Support Form with the following details:
    • The URL of your Sierra site (e.g., yourdomain.com)
    • The name of your MLS (e.g., SABOR, NTREIS, GLAR)
    • The exact name of the search criteria as it appears in the MLS
    • 2–3 MLS listing numbers that display that criteria value
  3. Wait for confirmation. Sierra's team will verify the field against your MLS data and notify you when the criteria has been added to your site.

Sample email:

Hi Sierra Support!
I'd like to add a search criteria field to my site, TheBestREALTORSEver.com. We're integrated with GLAR. The field I'd like to add is "First Floor Master Bedroom." MLS listings that display this criteria in GLAR are: #123456, #234567, and #345678.
Thanks!

⚠️ You can include multiple criteria in a single email, just list each one clearly with its own MLS examples.

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Best Practices

  • Check your MLS first. If a field doesn't exist in your MLS data, Sierra can't add it to your site. Confirming before you email prevents back-and-forth delays.
  • Use the exact field name. The name you provide should match how it appears in the MLS not how you'd describe it conversationally.
  • Batch your requests. If you have multiple criteria to add, combine them in one email rather than submitting separate requests.
  • Test after the criteria is live. Once Sierra confirms the update, run a test search to verify the field appears and filters results correctly.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • The new criteria isn't showing up on my site after Sierra confirmed it was added.
    Clear your browser cache and try again. If it's still missing, reply to your support thread and ask Sierra to confirm which page component or search widget the field was applied to.
  • The field appears in my site's search but returns no results.
    The MLS numbers you provided may not have contained the expected data. Verify in your MLS portal that the listings still display that criteria, then follow up with support.

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FAQs

  • Can I request any MLS search criteria?
    You can request any field your MLS supports and exposes in its data feed. Not all MLS fields are available in every feed. Sierra support can confirm whether a specific field is accessible for your MLS.
  • Can I add multiple criteria at once?
    Yes. List each criteria clearly in your email, with 2–3 MLS listing numbers for each one.
  • How long does it take?
    Turnaround varies depending on the MLS and the complexity of the field. Sierra support will give you an estimated timeline when they confirm receipt of your request.

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