Redfin Blog: Custom Plugin + API Integration
Here’s how I built a custom WordPress plugin for Redfin and uncovered key technical blockers that were stalling their API integration.
Client Snapshot
Client: Redfin Blog Team
Industry: Real Estate / Publishing
Website: redfin.com/blog
Services Provided:
- Custom WordPress Plugin
- API Integration
- Technical Consulting
TLDR;
Redfin needed a custom plugin and a dev who could jump into an unclear setup and move things forward. I built the plugin, diagnosed the hosting situation, and handed off a clear path for integration.
The Challenge
Redfin’s content team needed a custom solution to display top property listings on their blog using data pulled from an external API. The project also required identifying the correct hosting environment, access credentials, and integration points — which weren’t clearly documented across internal teams.
What I Did
Over several Zoom sessions with Redfin staff, I:
- Installed the Simple History plugin to monitor backend activity
- Investigated available API access through WP Engine (where the site was assumed to be hosted)
- Discovered the blog was actually hosted on AWS, not WP Engine, after testing credentials and contacting WPE support
- Created a custom WordPress plugin, Redfin Carousel, designed to pull listing data via their JSON endpoint
- Documented all findings and next steps for the Redfin dev team
Results
- Delivered a functional starting point for Redfin’s top listings integration
- Uncovered and documented the correct hosting and credential pathway
- Helped align the content team’s needs with technical implementation
- Reduced back-and-forth by clarifying unknowns and providing hands-on support