May 29, 2025
In today’s slow real estate market, selling a home is already a challenge — and now, sellers are being asked to consider an even bigger one: listing their home privately.
One of the biggest brokerages in the country, Compass, is pushing sellers to "premarket" their homes privately for a few days before going public on sites like Zillow and Redfin.
While it might sound like an exclusive opportunity, sellers need to ask themselves: Is this really in my best interest?
Here’s what’s going on:
Compass wants to hold new listings for a short period so only Compass agents and their clients can access them.
The idea is that this could lead to quicker offers or higher prices without opening the property up to the full public market right away.
But real estate giants like Zillow and Redfin argue that keeping listings private hurts sellers more than it helps.
When fewer people see a property, you naturally limit competition — and fewer offers usually mean less money for the seller.
So should you list your home privately?
In rare cases, yes — but for most homeowners, public listings are the better route.
You might want to keep it private if:
But if your goal is to get the highest possible price — and let's be honest, that's usually the goal — you want your listing to be seen by everyone as soon as possible. More eyeballs mean more interest, more offers, and better negotiating power.
Private listings might sound appealing, but in most cases, sellers are better off going public right away.
Transparency and broad exposure have been game changers for homeowners in the digital age — and stepping backward into exclusivity usually helps brokerages more than it helps you.
If you’re thinking about selling and weighing your options, make sure you’re working with an agent who puts your interests first — not their firm's.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice.
