{"id":108680,"date":"2026-02-02T11:21:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=108680"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:21:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:21:24","slug":"what-does-off-market-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-does-off-market-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Off-Market Mean In Real Estate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Home search sites<\/a> use the label \u201coff-market\u201d all the time, but it doesn\u2019t always carry the same meaning. For buyers and sellers, that difference is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In real estate, the term \u201coff-market\u201d is used in several different ways, and the meaning depends heavily on the context. Whether you\u2019re looking for homes in San Francisco, CA<\/a> or Burlington, VT<\/a>, understanding what off-market means and how it works can help you make sense of what you\u2019re seeing\u2014and how it affects property availability and visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>See more: <\/em><\/strong>How to Find Off-Market Properties<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean if a property is off-market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In real estate, \u201coff-market\u201d means a home isn\u2019t publicly listed for sale,<\/strong> usually because it\u2019s not on the multiple listing service (MLS). A property may be off-market because it\u2019s not for sale, a listing expired, the seller temporarily paused marketing<\/a>, or the home is being shared only through a real estate agent\u2019s professional network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term can be confusing because \u201coff-market\u201d is used differently in different contexts. On home search sites like Redfin, it typically means a property isn\u2019t currently listed for sale based on available data. For real estate agents and investors, however, \u201coff-market\u201d can refer to a home that is for sale but is being marketed privately, rather than publicly advertised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MLS<\/a> is the main database real estate agents use to share listings with one another and distribute them to public home search sites. Homes that aren\u2019t actively listed for sale on the MLS are generally considered off-market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an off-market property?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An off-market property can potentially be for sale  but not publicly listed on the MLS or major home search sites. In these cases, the property may be shared through agents, word-of-mouth, or professional groups. These off-market properties can also be called pocket listings<\/a>, private listings, or exclusive listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In accordance with MLS Clear Cooperation policies<\/a>, if there is a for-sale sign or other public advertising, the listing agent is required to submit the home to the MLS within 1 business day to allow for fair opportunity and access. Off-market properties are not publicly marketed or <\/em>shared as an active listing on the MLS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An off-market property is not the same as a home marked \u201coff-market\u201d on a search site, which often just means the house doesn\u2019t show an active listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do homes sell off-market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a home sells off-market, the sales process itself usually looks the same as most other real estate transactions: the buyer makes an offer, the parties sign a contract, and the deal moves through inspections, appraisal<\/a> (if necessary), and closing. The biggest difference is how the home is marketed and discovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Off-market homes are usually shared in a few limited ways. Some circulate through agent networks or brokerage exclusives, where listings are shared only within a company or with select agents and clients before a home is listed on the MLS. Others are sold as pocket listings, meaning the seller has listed the home with an agent but chosen not to market it publicly. In some cases, homes sell through word-of-mouth or direct outreach, like referrals, buyer letters, or investor networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do sellers choose to sell off-market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a home is selling off-market, less exposure can also mean fewer offers and a less-competitive final sale price. But there are several reasons a seller might be motivated to sell off-market:<\/p>\n\n\n\n