In New York City’s competitive real estate market, the choice between an off-market (also called “pocket”) listing and a fully public listing can make or break your sale strategy. An off-market listing keeps your property out of public databases like StreetEasy and Zillow, showing it only to a curated network of brokers and qualified buyers. This can create an aura of exclusivity and protect your privacy—particularly useful for high-end or celebrity clients, or when you’re testing a price point without committing publicly.
Compass offers a powerful off-market tool called Private Exclusives, which allows sellers to market their property discreetly to a trusted network of top agents and their buyers before going public. With Private Exclusives, there’s no public days-on-market clock running, no public price history, and you retain full control over when (and if) to launch publicly. This approach gives you early market feedback while maintaining privacy and flexibility.
The best choice often depends on your goals and timeline. If you are curious in testing the market without gaining days-on-market, an off-market listing like Compass Private Exclusives can work. If you’re aiming for maximum competition and highest price in a standard or crowded segment, public is usually better.
Q&A
Q: What exactly is an off-market listing?
A: It’s when your property is marketed privately to select brokers and buyers rather than listed publicly on major platforms.
Q: What is Compass Private Exclusives?
A: It’s a Compass program that lets sellers market their property quietly to a private network of top agents and qualified buyers before going public—no public days on market, no public price history.
Q: Why would a seller choose an off-market listing?
A: Privacy, testing pricing, or targeting a very specific buyer segment without days-on-market pressure.
Q: Are off-market listings faster to sell?
A: Not always—sometimes they sell quickly because the right buyer was waiting; other times they linger because exposure is limited.
Q: How do I know which approach is right for me?
A: Evaluate your property’s uniqueness, your privacy concerns, your timeline, and your need for maximum exposure. A seasoned NYC broker can walk you through both scenarios, including Compass Private Exclusives, with data on recent outcomes.
