5751 Clemens Ave, St Louis
Off-Market Listings
Realtors typically list their client's homes on the multiple listing service (MLS) for exposure to all active buyers in their market. While this is still the mainstream way home listings are shared, there are situations where limited exposure is needed. Whether it's a brief "coming soon" period when the home is getting ready for the sale, or permanently, for extra security or control, the 'pocket listing' is becoming more and more common. Called pocket listings, private listings or off-market listings, these names are used interchangeably by real estate professionals to describe a listing in which they have more control over who knows about the listing and who can come in to see it.
The pocket listing is more common during seller's markets so that the listing agent can give more people information on the home prior to its first day 'on market', creating an 'auction effect'. Pocket lisitngs are also more common in specialty markets like luxury real estate, or the urban loft market. High value homes, or celebrity owned homes are often times kept private, to avoid unproductive publicity from unqualified buyers.
Pocket listings are often times just a part of the home selling strategy used when a listing is new.
common. Called pocket listings, private listings or off-market listings, these names are used interchangeably by real estate professionals to describe a listing in which they have more control over who knows about the listing and who can come in to see it.