The Cost of Selling Off the MLS: Why Exposure Matters

Thinking about selling your home? You might have heard about “private listings” or “off-market sales,” but new research from Zillow shows that sellers who don’t list on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are leaving serious money on the table.

Over the past two years, sellers who opted for off-MLS sales lost a collective $1 billion—with the typical home selling for $4,975 less than if it had been marketed on the MLS. And in some areas, like California, sellers missed out on more than $30,000.

Why does this happen? The MLS gives your home maximum exposure, ensuring that all buyers—whether they have an agent or not—can see it. When a home is only marketed privately, it’s often limited to a much smaller pool of buyers, reducing competition and leading to lower sale prices.

Some brokerages are steering sellers toward private networks without fully explaining the downside. But here’s the bottom line: More exposure means more interest, and more interest means a higher sale price.

If you’re thinking about selling, let’s talk. I’ll share a perspective you may not have considered—no pressure, no obligation, just honest guidance. My goal isn’t just to make a sale; it’s to help you maximize your home’s market potential.

Source: Zillow Research – Off-MLS Home Sellers Left More Than $1 Billion on the Table the Past Two Years (Feb. 14, 2025).