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Can I do a pocket listing?
If we list our home as a pocket listing, will it then now show on some websites? We've been reading about Zillow not showing homes that were privately listed. So, if I do a pocket listing will Zillow not show it? Are other companies doing this?
We wanted to test the waters on our house and start with a pocket listing. We know there's a range of values for our house and we want to start with the high end, so we thought a pocket listing would be a good test of interest. We prefer a pocket listing at a high price, rather than listing high and having to decrease the price.
We wanted to test the waters on our house and start with a pocket listing. We know there's a range of values for our house and we want to start with the high end, so we thought a pocket listing would be a good test of interest. We prefer a pocket listing at a high price, rather than listing high and having to decrease the price.
Asked By Vanessa | Naperville, IL | 1395 views | Selling | Updated 3 weeks ago
Answer(20)
Johnny Sarkis
Keller Williams Solutions
If your goal is to test a higher price point, a pocket listing can give you some insight. But keep in mind that maximum exposure through the MLS—and being syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, and hundreds of other sites—is usually the best way to create buyer competition and maximize your sale price.
- 3 months ago
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Andrew Test
Avyatech Fastexpert Company1
pocket listing
- 4 months ago
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Juan Moreno
First Team Real Estate
Yes, a pocket listing will limit your home’s online exposure — and in most cases, that includes Zillow and other major real estate sites.
• What a pocket listing is: It’s when your home is marketed privately (often just to an agent’s personal network or brokerage) rather than being entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
• Why Zillow may not show it: Zillow and most other consumer home search sites pull their listings from the MLS. If your home isn’t in the MLS, it usually won’t appear there — unless your agent manually creates a ‘coming soon’ or non-MLS listing on Zillow, which not all agents or brokerages will do.
• Other sites: Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, etc., work the same way — no MLS entry means no automatic posting.
• Pros of pocket listings: Privacy, exclusivity, and the ability to test a high price without a public price drop history.
• Cons: You greatly reduce buyer exposure, which can mean fewer showings and potentially less leverage.
If your goal is to test the market at the high end without recording price reductions publicly, there are other strategies — like listing in the MLS with a “coming soon” status or doing an off-market marketing phase — that can give you more visibility than a pure pocket listing while still protecting your price history.
• What a pocket listing is: It’s when your home is marketed privately (often just to an agent’s personal network or brokerage) rather than being entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
• Why Zillow may not show it: Zillow and most other consumer home search sites pull their listings from the MLS. If your home isn’t in the MLS, it usually won’t appear there — unless your agent manually creates a ‘coming soon’ or non-MLS listing on Zillow, which not all agents or brokerages will do.
• Other sites: Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, etc., work the same way — no MLS entry means no automatic posting.
• Pros of pocket listings: Privacy, exclusivity, and the ability to test a high price without a public price drop history.
• Cons: You greatly reduce buyer exposure, which can mean fewer showings and potentially less leverage.
If your goal is to test the market at the high end without recording price reductions publicly, there are other strategies — like listing in the MLS with a “coming soon” status or doing an off-market marketing phase — that can give you more visibility than a pure pocket listing while still protecting your price history.
- 3 months ago
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- Unhelpful (0)
Amanda Courtney
REP Realty Group
Yes, but there are rules. A pocket listing means your property is not publicly listed on the MLS. It can offer privacy but limits exposure, so it is best used strategically with a trusted broker who understands your goals.
- 1 month ago
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Irene and Ricky Zhang
Keller Williams Irvine
Yes, you can do a pocket listing — but it’s important to understand exactly what that means and how it affects your home’s visibility. A pocket listing (also called an off-market listing) means your home is marketed privately through your real estate agent’s personal network rather than being published on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Because Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com all pull their listings directly from the MLS, your home will not appear on those sites if it’s kept off-market.
Many sellers in Irvine choose pocket listings for privacy, security, or to “test the waters” before going public. It can work well for high-end homes or situations where discretion is essential. However, the trade-off is limited exposure. Since fewer buyers will see the property online, you may receive fewer offers — and possibly a lower sale price.
The National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy also restricts public marketing (like social media posts, flyers, or email blasts) for off-MLS listings. Once a property is publicly advertised, it must be entered into the MLS within one business day.
If you’re considering a pocket listing in Irvine, the best strategy is often a two-phase plan: start with a short private listing period to gauge interest among pre-qualified buyers, then transition to a full MLS launch for maximum exposure.
As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group guide sellers through these decisions with clarity — balancing privacy, timing, and marketing reach to ensure you sell your home in Irvine confidently and for the best possible result.
Many sellers in Irvine choose pocket listings for privacy, security, or to “test the waters” before going public. It can work well for high-end homes or situations where discretion is essential. However, the trade-off is limited exposure. Since fewer buyers will see the property online, you may receive fewer offers — and possibly a lower sale price.
The National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy also restricts public marketing (like social media posts, flyers, or email blasts) for off-MLS listings. Once a property is publicly advertised, it must be entered into the MLS within one business day.
If you’re considering a pocket listing in Irvine, the best strategy is often a two-phase plan: start with a short private listing period to gauge interest among pre-qualified buyers, then transition to a full MLS launch for maximum exposure.
As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group guide sellers through these decisions with clarity — balancing privacy, timing, and marketing reach to ensure you sell your home in Irvine confidently and for the best possible result.
- 3 weeks ago
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You're correct - pocket listings typically won't appear on Zillow, Realtor.com, or other major consumer sites because these platforms pull from the MLS. However, this is actually by design and often an advantage:
Controlled Exposure: Only serious, pre-qualified buyers and agents in our network see it
No Public Price History: If you do need to adjust pricing later, there's no online record
Exclusive Feel: Creates urgency among buyers who know they're seeing something special
Other Companies' Practices:
Most major real estate platforms (Realtor.com, Homes.com, Redfin) follow similar patterns - they primarily show MLS listings. Some agents do promote pocket listings on their personal websites or through private buyer networks.
Your Strategy is Smart Because:
You can test your high-end price point without public exposure
No risk of "days on market" stigma if it takes time to sell
You maintain pricing flexibility
Creates exclusivity that can actually drive higher offers
How I Handle Pocket Listings:
I market them through my professional network, personal database of 10,000+ active buyers and sellers, and targeted outreach to agents representing serious buyers in your price range. In Naperville's market, this approach often works well for higher-end properties.
Timeline Consideration:
Most pocket listings get 2-4 weeks of private marketing before going to MLS if needed. This gives you a clean test of market response at your preferred price point.
Would you like to discuss what price range you're considering and how we can structure the pocket listing strategy to maximize your results? I can also share some recent examples of successful pocket listings in Naperville to give you a better sense of timing and outcomes.
- 3 months ago
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