Pocket Listings Heat Up: Good or Bad?
Pocket listings -- off-market listings that are marketed directly by the seller’s real estate agent or broker -- are growing in number, according to news reports.
Sellers must agree to "pocket listings"; otherwise they aren’t permitted. Some sellers agree to such arrangements to “test the waters” first with selling or to avoid a large number of people from entering their home, or they may seek privacy, like in cases of celebrities or public figures.
Some real estate professionals argue the rise in pocket listings is hurting the housing market because these homes are given limited exposure and are making it more difficult to compare homes and prices.
Usually with pocket listings, brokerages complete the entire transaction in-house, thus collecting both the seller and buyer commission.
“Pocket listings are a good segment of our business,” writes one real estate professional on the RISMedia Facebook page. “Regarding cons with agents taking in full commissions ... we charge a flat rate for our pocket sales, much less than a full-percent commission.”
But many agents note that the majority of pocket listings are eventually entered into the MLS.
Source: “Pocket Listings: Helpful or Harmful?” RISMedia (March 14, 2013)
If you want to sell your home, Nesbitt Realty is here to serve your needs in {Location_Name}. Our Realtors are experienced and familiar with the real estate market in {Location_Name}. A Realtor can help you determine the best listing price for your property. We know how to market your home to get the best price as quickly as possibly. Nesbitt Realty knows how the home selling process works, so we are ready to assist you every step of the way. Nesbitt Realty has access to the MRIS (our local multiple listing service). MRIS is the MLS database that agents use to find homes for sale in the area. Our agent will add your property to it. Working with a Realtor will make the home selling process run smoothly and much simpler than if you attempt to do it on your own. We're a local family-run business and we appreciate the opportunity to serve your needs.
Learn more about selling your home
