Answers by Linda Raymond

You can 'test the waters' with a private listing, but there is no way to know whether the small subset of the market that sees limited information about your listing is representative of the full market that would see optimal presentation of your property and professional marketing. Unless you know of a specific individual who is willing to offer well above market value to get your home, the rule of supply and demand typically applies. The broadest exposure your listing can get is most likely to result in the highest selling price by generating competition for your listing. Exposing your listing to the full market with professional marketing will achieve the top market value.