What Is a Pocket Listing and Why Would a Seller Use One?

Imagine you have news to share, but instead of a post on social media that anyone can see, you send a direct message to a few select people. A pocket listing in real estate is similar in concept. Simply put, a pocket listing is a home for sale that isn’t marketed through the MLS and other public channels, but rather through word of mouth and the agent’s own private network. Find a Top Listing Agent to Market Your Home HomeLight makes it easy to connect with a top real estate agent who can develop a marketing strategy tailored to your home. Our data shows that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average agent. Pocket listings occasionally have value for sellers who want privacy, but the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and individual agents say they can limit transparency in transactions and, for sellers, restrict the potential buyer pool. “I can’t say I love pocket listings,” says Margaret Wilcox, a top real estate agent serving Hartford County, Connecticut, and a real estate agent of over 25 years. “It isn’t exactly the best-case scenario for the seller.” Let’s look closer at pocket listings, how they differ from a traditional sal...