What Is a Real Estate Pocket Listing, and Should You Consider One?

Selling a home as a pocket listing can protect privacy and avoid price missteps—but often at the cost of competition.
What Is a Real Estate Pocket Listing, and Should You Consider One?
Jono Photography/Shutterstock
|Updated:
0:00

A real estate pocket listing isn’t included in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and is often referred to as an exclusive or off-market listing. This means that agents in general and prospective buyers don’t see the listing. The seller quietly keeps the house in their “pocket.”

But does a pocket listing benefit the seller? Potential buyers may be limited if the property isn’t listed on the MLS. There also may be some legal gray areas when it comes to exclusive listings.

How Do Pocket Listings Work?

Pocket listings come in several forms, but share one thing in common: Access to them is restricted.
Anne Johnson
Anne Johnson
Author
Anne Johnson was a commercial property and casualty insurance agent for nine years. She was also licensed in health and life insurance. She went on to own an advertising agency, where she worked with businesses. She has been writing about personal finance for 10 years.