--- title: "Showcase IDX Hotsheets for Real Estate Websites" description: "Create a saved search, connect a Showcase IDX Hotsheet, embed its generated shortcode, and test the displayed listings and property inquiry route." canonical: "https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/showcase-idx-hotsheets" --- ## Site navigation - [Scale With Search](https://scalewithsearch.com/) - Services - Services - [AI systems](https://scalewithsearch.com/ai-systems) - [Site build](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#site-build) - [Whole website fix](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#whole-website-fix) - [Content library with SEO](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#content-library) - [Working session](https://scalewithsearch.com/audit) - Start here - [Send your brief](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#send-your-brief) - [Example scope](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#review-the-example-scope) - [Prices and terms](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#prices-and-terms) - Industries - Real estate - [Real estate agents and teams](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate) - [Platforms, ownership, and IDX](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-platforms-ownership-idx) - [Search, content, and AI](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-search-content-ai) - [Inquiries, campaigns, and handoffs](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-inquiries-campaigns-handoffs) - [Buyer, seller, and local pages](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-buyer-seller-local-resources) - [Rules, privacy, and trust](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-rules-privacy-trust) - Browse by business - [Trades and home services](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-trades) - [Health, wellness, and animal care](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-practices) - [Law, finance, and IT](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-professional) - [Marketing and SEO agencies](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-agencies) - [Shops and manufacturers](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-manufacturing) - [Restaurants, shops, studios, and nonprofits](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-local-services) - Chiropractic practices - [Chiropractic and wellness practices](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/chiropractic-and-wellness-practices) - [Chiropractic and physical therapy clinics](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/chiropractic-and-physical-therapy-clinics) - [All industries](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/) - Resources - Free tools - [AI readiness check](https://scalewithsearch.com/check) - [Free tools](https://scalewithsearch.com/tools/) - [Free Starter Kit](https://scalewithsearch.com/kit/business-memory-starter-kit.zip) - Guides - [AI-native library](https://scalewithsearch.com/ai-native) - [Industry intelligence](https://scalewithsearch.com/intelligence) - [Office job guides](https://scalewithsearch.com/guides/) - [Business memory](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/business-memory-for-ai-agents-guide) - [Agent governance](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/ai-agent-governance-guide-small-business) - [Migration and ownership](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/leaving-vendor-ai-memory-guide) - Articles - [All articles](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/) - [What changed](https://scalewithsearch.com/changes/) - About - Evidence - [Proof](https://scalewithsearch.com/proof) - Scale With Search - [About](https://scalewithsearch.com/about) - [How it works](https://scalewithsearch.com/how-it-works) # Showcase IDX Hotsheets: brief and test a saved-search page Define the saved-search selection, Hotsheet placement, and property-inquiry checks before commissioning the page. The vendor links Hotsheets to saved searches. [Showcase IDX Hotsheet guide, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). The steps below combine documented controls with proposed acceptance checks. The cited guides display update dates from 2022 and 2023. Ask the maintainer to confirm the current controls before changing a working website. ## What is a Showcase IDX Hotsheet? **It displays listings from a linked saved search through a shortcode.** [Showcase IDX definition, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Name the visitor task before briefing one. For a real estate agent's website, specify what the listing selection helps a buyer inspect and which question the surrounding page should answer. ## How does it differ from an ordinary property-search page? **Brief the Hotsheet around a selected search and the public page explaining that selection.** Keep general installation and theme work in the [Showcase IDX compatibility brief](/articles/showcase-idx-wordpress-theme-compatibility). This page focuses on the saved-search connection, visible results, and maintenance evidence. It does not replace the wider website's general property-search acceptance checks. ## Which account details should be confirmed first? **Confirm the intended website and approved listing data before creating the selection.** Showcase IDX's installation guide places setup after MLS approval. [Showcase IDX installation guide, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028899892-How-to-Install-Showcase-IDX-plugin-on-WordPress). Ask the owner to identify the website account and any unresolved feed questions. Keep credentials out of the content brief. ## What should the page brief specify before configuration? **Define the visitor's purpose, proposed selection, explanatory content, and contact destination.** Ask the real estate agent to approve those requirements before the developer builds the search. Avoid a page title that promises more than the proposed selection covers. Keep uncertain field definitions or data availability unresolved until the provider can explain them. ## Where is the saved search created? **The vendor directs users to the intended website's Search Library, then New Search.** [Showcase IDX saved-search instructions, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000186943-Search-Library-and-Creating-a-Saved-Search). Have the maintainer show the selected website first. Record the saved search's name and purpose so the owner can distinguish it from similar selections later. ## Which search parameters should be approved? **Approve the filters and boundaries that implement the page's stated purpose.** Showcase IDX documents filter, map, polygon, and sorting controls in its saved-search guide. [Showcase IDX search controls, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000186943-Search-Library-and-Creating-a-Saved-Search). Ask the real estate agent to compare the proposed selection with expected properties. Record exceptions before accepting the configuration. ## Should the maintainer change search forms while configuring filters? **The vendor warns that switching between search forms can reset filters.** [Showcase IDX saved-search warning, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000186943-Search-Library-and-Creating-a-Saved-Search). Ask the maintainer to recheck all approved criteria before saving. Keep the final criteria in the configuration record rather than relying on the order of clicks during the demonstration. ## How should the saved search be named and retained? **Choose a name that identifies its purpose and record the pages that depend on it.** Showcase IDX documents naming the search before selecting Save Search. [Showcase IDX saving instructions, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000186943-Search-Library-and-Creating-a-Saved-Search). Keep the approved criteria with that name. Avoid relying on a personal naming convention that the owner cannot interpret. ## How is the Hotsheet connected to the saved search? **Use New Hotsheet and select the approved saved search.** [Showcase IDX creation instructions, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Have the maintainer demonstrate the connection. Compare the selected search name with the approved configuration record before embedding anything on the public page. ## Which Hotsheet naming problems should be checked? **Showcase IDX requires a unique name and warns against special characters and trailing spaces.** [Showcase IDX naming guidance, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Copy the generated identifier into the handoff record. When renaming is proposed, ask the maintainer to inspect dependent pages and preserve a recovery path before changing the working selection. ## Which presentation controls should the owner review? **Choose layout, map visibility, and results controls.** [Showcase IDX display controls, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Select the presentation against the page's purpose. Review readable listing cards and a clear path to additional information rather than accepting a layout from its settings alone. ## How should the shortcode be embedded? **Copy the generated shortcode into the intended WordPress page.** [Showcase IDX embedding instructions, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Have the maintainer identify the actual page address and supported editor placement. Inspect the published rendering in an approved test environment. A shortcode visible as plain text is a failed display check that needs investigation. ## Is a library preview enough to accept the page? **Inspect the complete WordPress page before accepting its appearance.** The library preview shows results rather than final styling. [Showcase IDX preview limits, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Review the surrounding heading, explanatory content, navigation, listing cards, and contact action together. Keep the library result and finished-page evidence separately labeled. ## What page-hierarchy restriction needs checking? **The installation guide warns against using the default search page as the parent of Hotsheet pages.** [Showcase IDX hierarchy warning, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028899892-How-to-Install-Showcase-IDX-plugin-on-WordPress). Ask the maintainer to inspect the page's actual hierarchy. Preserve current public addresses when planning any structural repair, and record the proposed change before applying it. ## How should the real estate agent review listing accuracy? **Compare the displayed selection with the approved criteria and available source evidence.** Choose an authorized property expected to appear and a property expected to be excluded. Record the reason for each expectation. If a result differs, inspect the saved filters and feed details before blaming the layout or broadening the search merely to populate the page. ## What should the page show when no listings match? **Agree an honest empty-result explanation and a usable alternative inquiry route.** Ask the maintainer to demonstrate what the installed configuration actually displays. Keep this behavior UNRESOLVED until tested. Avoid inventing inventory, copying unrelated properties, or describing an empty selection as proof that no qualifying home exists anywhere outside the approved feed. ## How should listing changes be checked? **Trace an authorized source change through to the visible selection.** Showcase IDX says Hotsheet listings update as the data feed updates. [Showcase IDX update behavior, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Record observed source and display times without inventing a universal refresh deadline. Ask the provider to explain a mismatch before accepting the update result. ## What happens when the underlying saved search changes? **Editing the linked search changes the displayed selection.** [Showcase IDX linked-search behavior, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Keep a dependency list of pages using that search. Have the owner approve changed criteria, then review the affected pages together. Avoid treating a saved-search edit as a change isolated to the dashboard. ## What should happen before deleting a Hotsheet? **Find every page using its shortcode before proposing deletion.** Deleting an embedded Hotsheet causes a page error. [Showcase IDX deletion warning, checked 2026.10.22](https://support.showcaseidx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000206626-Hotsheets-Library-and-Creating-Hotsheets). Record the replacement plan and obtain the owner's decision through the normal change process. This brief performs no deletion or activation. ## How should a property inquiry be tested? **Open a property from the Hotsheet and trace an agreed synthetic question to the intended recipient.** Confirm the property reference and reply details in the received message. Record the originating page and displayed property. Treat a missing or misdirected inquiry as a separate failure even when the listing cards and map render correctly. ## What should phone and keyboard checks establish? **Demonstrate that the visitor can read the selection, open a property, and reach the intended contact action.** Inspect the surrounding page as well as the embedded display. Record obstructed controls, unclear labels, or navigation failures. These task checks describe observed behavior; they do not establish full accessibility conformance or future inquiry performance. ## What belongs in the Hotsheet handoff? **Keep the website, saved search, approved criteria, Hotsheet identity, shortcode location, dependent pages, and test results together.** Assign an owner for later selection changes. Bring the unresolved website work to the [real estate website brief](/for/real-estate). Accept the configuration against the approved listings and demonstrated property inquiry rather than a screenshot of the dashboard. - [Find and manage an IDX Broker API key for your real estate website](/articles/idx-broker-api-key-location) - [IDX Broker custom subdomain and SSL for a real estate agent website](/articles/idx-broker-custom-subdomain-and-ssl) - [IDX Broker dynamic wrappers for real estate agent websites](/articles/idx-broker-dynamic-wrapper) ## Related: Real estate - [Find and manage an IDX Broker API key for your real estate website](/articles/idx-broker-api-key-location) - [IDX Broker custom subdomain and SSL for a real estate agent website](/articles/idx-broker-custom-subdomain-and-ssl) - [IDX Broker dynamic wrappers for real estate agent websites](/articles/idx-broker-dynamic-wrapper) ---- ```text .|########||. .|########||. .|########||. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. .#| .#. .#| .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. |#. .#. |#. .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| .||########||. .||########||. .||########||. Scale With Search 2026 [scalewithsearch.com](https://scalewithsearch.com) ```