CREA DDF Explained: How Canadian Listing Data Gets on Your Site

If you have asked how to get MLS listings onto your own website in Canada, you have met three acronyms: DDF, IDX, and VOW. This is the plain-language version of the first one.

What DDF actually is

The Data Distribution Facility is CREA's national feed. Your listings are pushed to it, and in return your website can display listings from participating boards across the country. It is a single national connection rather than a separate agreement with every board.

DDF vs your board's IDX feed

They solve overlapping problems and are easy to confuse:

• DDF is national, relatively quick to set up, and usually the cheapest route. Coverage and field depth vary by board, since each board decides what it contributes.
• Board IDX (for example TRREB/PropTX) is local, usually richer, and updates more often — but it requires that board's own data agreement and typically its own fee.

Many agents start on DDF to get something live, then add a board feed when local depth matters. See IDX vs VOW for how registration-gated data fits in.

What it costs

The feed itself is inexpensive — commonly around $9/month passed through by your website provider — but it is billed on top of your website subscription, not included in it. Budget for the feed separately when comparing quotes, and read what a Canadian real estate website really costs.

What you need before you apply

Active board membership in good standing, your MLS or member ID, your brokerage details, and a signed data-access agreement. Your brokerage may need to authorise the request. Nothing about this is instant, which is exactly why it should not block your launch.

The display rules still apply

DDF data comes with obligations: correct attribution, the listing brokerage credited, timely removal when a listing changes status, and limits on what you may republish. Your website provider should handle most of this automatically, but the agreement is yours, not theirs.

Launch first, connect second

Approval takes as long as it takes. The mistake is leaving your website unpublished while you wait. Publish with your own listings, area content, and working contact forms, then connect the feed when it clears.

AgentsWise supports CREA DDF and board feeds like PropTX, walks you through the request, and lets you launch before the feed is approved. See the features or the pricing page.