April 8, 2025
According to BatchService and ResiClub Analytics, there were approximately 1.2 million “pocket listings” or off-market real estate sales in the United States in 2024, with the vast majority happening in Texas and Florida. Pocket listings are more common in some areas of the country than others, yet it’s important to be familiar with them no matter where you’re located.
In this article, we’ll cover the definition of a pocket listing, the pros and cons for both agents and sellers, and how to transact off-market legally and ethically. Plus, we’ll give you marketing ideas for promoting your pocket listings.
A pocket listing — also known as a quiet listing, off-MLS or off-market listing — is a real estate property that is for sale but not listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Instead, the property is marketed privately through the listing agent’s network, direct contacts or exclusive platforms.
Over the years, the term “pocket listing” has developed a negative connotation, as people sometimes think this is just a strategy used by sleazy agents to double-side a transaction and not get the highest price for the seller. While I’m sure there are instances where this is unfortunately the case, there are legitimate reasons why selling off-market is in the seller’s best interest.
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