Pocket Listings Are Costing California Sellers—Big Time

Thinking about selling your home in Sebastopol? Before you agree to keep your sale "private," let's talk about why off-market listings could be costing you thousands.

As a local realtor with Corcoran Icon Properties, I’ve seen it all—and I’m here to tell you that full market exposure through the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) isn’t just better. It’s essential.

Here’s why:

📈 More Exposure = More Offers
MLS listings reach thousands of buyers and agents across the Bay Area. In Sebastopol, where homes are selling in just 45 days on average, that visibility creates competition—and competition drives prices up. In fact, 60% of local homes go over asking because they’re fully marketed.

🚫 Off-Market = Missed Opportunities
Some brokerages push private, off-market listings under the promise of "discretion" and "control." But the data doesn’t lie: off-market homes take almost twice as long to sell and often get no price bump. In a tight market like Sebastopol, every day and every dollar counts.

🕵️‍♀️ Transparency Matters
The MLS isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s about fairness. Buyers get equal access, and sellers get the highest return. That’s why the National Association of Realtors enforces the Clear Cooperation Policy: if a home is publicly marketed, it must hit the MLS within one day.

I recently worked with a seller considering an off-market deal. After reviewing the data, they chose the MLS, a decision that prioritized maximum exposure. Listing publicly consistently outperforms private sales—don’t miss out.

So if you're selling your home in Sebastopol, don’t settle for behind-closed-doors deals. You deserve better—and I’ll make sure you get it.

Let’s make your sale a success—out in the open.

📩 Ready to sell or want a free home value estimate? Contact me today or subscribe for weekly real estate tips tailored for Sebastopol and Sonoma County.