If you have ever wandered through my website, you might notice that under my Featured
Properties, there is a tab titled “Private Per Seller.” You will see addresses without photos, and
you might wonder what that means.
A Private Per-Seller listing, also called an off-market home or private sale, is marketed on the
back end of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which means only agents are able to see the
listing, not consumers. There is no public listing and no open houses. Instead, the home is
marketed privately to a much smaller audience, which typically means fewer buyers are
competing for the property, and there are no crowds of strangers walking through the property.
Now, you might be wondering how an off-market home actually gets sold.
Even though these homes never appear publicly on the MLS, they can still be marketed through
trusted real estate agent networks, direct outreach to qualified buyers, builders, developers, and
investors. Sellers can also host broker’s opens instead of public open houses. A broker’s open is
similar to an open house, except it is intended for real estate professionals rather than the general
public. If you’re a Realtor, you know time is precious, and broker’s opens allow agents to tour a
home with specific clients in mind or identify buyers through their own networks.
Selling off-market is especially common in Houston’s luxury real estate market. High-profile
individuals, executives, and families going through significant life transitions often choose a
private sale because discretion matters. Every house is a book, and when it is filled, it becomes a
home that tells a story. Sometimes, that story is one that sellers do not want to share with
strangers. Additionally, some sellers prefer an off-market sale because it may provide greater
privacy around the final sale price. In Texas, where real estate is a non-disclosure state, keeping a
sale off the MLS may also limit the public availability of pricing information, which may be
advantageous when future property tax appraisals are determined.
Some sellers also choose to start by listing off-market to test a price before listing publicly. That
being said, most homes benefit from listing on the MLS and receiving full market exposure.
When more buyers see your home, competition naturally increases. More competition often leads
to multiple offers, bidding wars, and ultimately a higher sales price.
The MLS also makes the buying and selling process far more efficient. The Multiple Listing
Service was built on a simple agreement among Realtors: if you help me sell my listings, I’ll
help you sell yours. Today, that same system continues to benefit both sellers and buyers. Sellers
receive greater exposure, while buyers gain access to more homes, more information, and more
opportunities.
If you are thinking about selling your Houston home, ask yourself one question: would you
rather sell on the open market or through a private off-market sale?
The answer depends on your timeline and your priorities. Every home and every seller is
different. Whether you choose to sell privately or maximize your exposure through the MLS, I
will guide you through the process and help you position your home to achieve the best possible
outcome.
As always, I’m your best choice for Houston real estate.
Until next time,
Dee Dee Guggenheim Howes