What Is a Real Estate Pocket Listing?

Have you heard the term pocket listing and wondered what it really means? In the Dayton real estate market, pocket listings come up more than you might think, and understanding how they work can give buyers and sellers a strategic edge.

What Exactly Is a Pocket Listing?

A pocket listing is a home that is going to be listed for sale soon but is not yet available to the public. The property may be getting updates—new carpet, fresh paint, a new roof—or the agent may be arranging professional photos, room measurements, and marketing materials.

During this preparation period, the listing is kept “in the agent’s pocket,” so to speak.

Because the home is not yet active in the Dayton MLS, it may still be matched with a buyer if the right situation comes along. A listing agent may even share the upcoming property informally with other agents to begin generating interest before it is officially launched.

Pocket Listings vs. Sellers Who Are “Open to Offers”

A second type of pocket listing occurs when a seller has spoken with their agent but is not actively preparing to enter the market. They may never plan to officially list the home but if the agent has a buyer at the right price and at the right time, they will sell.  

The Former “Coming Soon” Status in the Dayton MLS

The Dayton Board of Realtors once supported a formal “Coming Soon” status within the Dayton MLS. This allowed agents to enter a pocket listing into the MLS system so other Realtors could see upcoming properties before they were fully active.

While in Coming Soon:

• The property could not be shown
  
  
• No public marketing was allowed
  
  
• The listing remained private to MLS subscribers only
  
  

Once the home was ready, the status switched to Active, and it became available to the entire public.

The Dayton MLS no longer offers this Coming Soon feature, but surrounding MLS systems—such as the Cincinnati MLS—still actively use it.

Coldwell Banker Heritage’s Internal “Soon to Be Listed” System

Even though the Dayton MLS no longer supports Coming Soon listings, Coldwell Banker Heritage maintains an internal “Soon to Be Listed” website for our agents.
This secure, company-only platform allows us to share pocket listings within our brokerage to potentially match buyers and sellers before a property ever goes live.

These listings:

• Are not public
  
  
• Are not on the MLS
  
  
• Are visible only to Coldwell Banker agents
  
  
• Provide a valuable off-market matchmaking tool
  
  

It’s one more way we help Dayton-area buyers find opportunities that aren’t available to the general public.

Do Pocket Listings Benefit Buyers and Sellers?

Every year, we successfully match a number of buyers and sellers before a home ever hits the open market. For the right seller and the right buyer, the timing can be perfect.

However, in the Dayton area, my experience is—most sellers prefer to go fully live on the MLS.

Why?

• Full market exposure
  
  
• Dozens or hundreds of potential buyers
  
  
• Stronger competition
  
  
• Better chance of multiple offers
  
  
• Potentially higher sales price
  
  

In short, while pocket listings do exist, most sellers want the power of full market visibility to maximize their final sale price.

Final Thoughts for Dayton-Area Buyers and Sellers

The next time you hear someone mention a pocket listing, you’ll know it refers to a home that is not yet officially for sale—but may still be purchased in the right situation.

If you’re a buyer looking for off-market opportunities in Beavercreek, Dayton, Kettering, or the surrounding suburbs, or if you’re a seller curious about whether a pocket listing strategy could work for your situation, I’m always happy to discuss the best approach for today’s market.