Courtney Poulos, Founder of SERHANT. CA and Team Lead at ACME | SERHANT., is challenging the real estate industry to reconsider how private listings are handled, arguing that the debate should center on what delivers the best outcome for sellers rather than on procedural rules. Her proposal, which she acknowledges is not yet widely available, would allow sellers to keep their homes off public consumer websites while still sharing the listing with every licensed agent, not just those within a single brokerage.
Poulos recognizes that privacy can be a legitimate priority for some sellers, and for them an off-market sale may be appropriate. However, she points out that sellers who choose that path are often required to acknowledge in writing that keeping a listing off the market could result in fewer showings or a lower sale price. She also emphasizes that many buyers are not yet working with an agent and are browsing online, meaning every channel a listing is kept out of represents a missed opportunity to reach potential buyers. "I still feel like access is important, and we should not fracture," she said.
Her middle-path solution is straightforward: if a seller wants to stay off large consumer listing websites, the listing could still be shared in a system accessible to every licensed agent. This way, the seller keeps the home out of public view while reaching as many agents as possible who may represent qualified buyers. Poulos believes that more buyers give a seller a better chance at a higher price, and she stresses that everyone must play by the same rules, with all agents able to see each other's off-market listings. She also argues that once a listing is in the MLS and available to other agents, there should be no time limit on how long it can be marketed off-market. "The MLS needs to take its handcuffs off of us," she said.
Poulos further believes it is fair to ask who benefits when a listing is marketed only in-house. Keeping a listing within one brokerage can increase the chance that the same brokerage represents both sides of the transaction, which can be financially attractive for the brokerage. While not necessarily wrong, she says sellers deserve a clear understanding of the tradeoff. If the goal truly is serving the seller, she sees little reason a private listing should not be visible to every licensee. For now, she encourages sellers considering a private sale to ask their agent direct questions about visibility to outside agents, the number of buyers' agents who will realistically see the listing, and what might be given up on price compared with a full public launch. Sellers preparing to list can find more guidance in the ACME | SERHANT. Buyer and Seller Toolkit. Poulos's proposal highlights a growing tension between seller privacy and market exposure, and her call for transparency could push brokerages to rethink how private listings are shared, ultimately giving sellers more control over their sale strategy.
