How to Know if a “Delayed” or “Exclusive” Listing Is Right for You

When you sell your home, there’s a good chance you’ll hire a real estate agent because they have the experience, tools, and access to networks you don’t. They understand the local market, know how to price a home strategically, and have the know-how to market it effectively to attract qualified buyers.

So when they offer advice—about pricing, staging, timing, or marketing—it’s natural to trust that they know what they’re doing.

However, it’s still worth asking thoughtful questions to make sure their advice and strategy fits your specific goals and circumstances.

That’s especially true when agents have extremely different views on how to market your home….

What Are Office “Exclusive” and “Delayed Marketing” Listings?

One topic that’s sparked a lot of debate lately is how (and when) a listing is made public.

Specifically, whether it should be shared immediately on the multiple listing service (MLS) and third-party sites where most buyers browse… or held back for a period of time as an exclusive or delayed listing.

This has been thrust into the spotlight thanks to a recent policy change issued by the National Association of Realtors, giving sellers and their agents alternative listing options.

Previously, a property had to be listed on the local multiple listing service within one day of being marketed to the public. Now agents can offer sellers who would like to limit the exposure of their home—for privacy or other reasons—the ability to list their house as an “office exclusive” listing, or a “delayed marketing” listing.

Here’s a quick summary of what those terms mean:

• Office Exclusive Listing: Your home is marketed only within your listing agent’s brokerage. It’s not publicly posted on the MLS or on public websites. Only agents within the same brokerage are notified and can potentially bring a buyer.
• Delayed Marketing Listing: This means your home is entered into the MLS, but it’s not yet being publicly advertised on consumer-facing websites like Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com, etc., and during the delayed marketing period, your home won’t show up there. However, buyer’s agents with access to the MLS will see your delayed marketing listing, and can contact your agent if they have an interested buyer.

Either of these approaches may be a smart strategy for you, but they aren’t without tradeoffs—and they definitely aren’t right for every seller.

8 Questions to Ask Your Listing Agent

The point of this article isn’t meant to declare one way or another is “right” or “wrong” overall. It’s just to make sure you, as a seller, understand that it’s something you need to fully think through before making your decision.

If your agent suggests either of these approaches, here are some questions worth asking:

1. Who will be able to see my listing? If your home isn’t on the MLS or major websites like Zillow or Realtor.com, it won’t be visible to the vast majority of buyers. Is the plan to rely solely on word-of-mouth within the brokerage? A private email to other agents? Just social media? Understand what “exposure” really looks like in this case.
2. How will buyers find out about my home? Ask for specifics. How will your home be marketed without the MLS? Will your agent be restricted in how they will be able to expose it to buyers? Is there a risk that the perfect buyer for your home won’t know that it’s for sale?
3. What happens if another agent (outside your brokerage) has a buyer? Can other agents still show the home? Will they even know it exists? If the listing is truly exclusive or private, many agents—and their clients—may not know to ask. This could mean missing out on buyers who might’ve made strong offers.
4. Are we likely to still receive showing requests or offers from agents who aren’t in your office? Even if another agent is technically allowed to show your home, will the approach you’re taking encourage them to? Is it easy or difficult for other agents to know whether or not they’re allowed to?
5. Is there a good reason for me to limit the exposure of my house? There are some legitimate reasons for exclusivity. High-profile sellers may want to keep things discreet. Or maybe you’re still prepping the house and don’t want it going public just yet. But if privacy isn’t truly a top concern, or it makes sense to wait until your home is fully prepared, make sure the exclusivity isn’t doing more harm than good.
6. Could this cost me money in the end? Less exposure could mean fewer offers. And fewer offers could mean less competition—one of the key factors in driving a higher sales price. Make sure your agent can show you how this strategy helps you financially, not just logistically.
7. What percentage of your exclusive listings eventually end up on the MLS anyway? This can reveal whether this is a short-term tactic (like a soft launch), or if there’s a pattern of homes being held off-market indefinitely. It may also reveal if past sellers opted to switch strategies when the results didn’t meet expectations.
8. Can you show me examples of when this strategy worked well—and when it didn’t? No one has a crystal ball, but the experience of past clients can help you understand both the benefits and limitations of this approach. Ask if they have written testimonials describing the success of these approaches, or even if you can speak with some of their past clients directly.

When selling a home, your strategy should fit your goals—not just follow a trend or default to whatever your agent usually does. That’s why it’s so important to have honest conversations about the options available and how they align with your priorities.

Hire an agent who is not only knowledgeable but also willing to answer your questions and walk you through the pros and cons of each approach—without pressure. The right agent isn’t just there to “take over” the process, but to guide you in making informed, empowered decisions that match your needs.

The Takeaway:

A recent policy change has opened the door to more flexible listing strategies—giving sellers the ability to control when and how their home hits the market. While these options can offer benefits like privacy or extra prep time, they can also reduce exposure and limit interest if not used thoughtfully.

What matters most is that the marketing strategy fits you. The key is to ask questions and work with an agent who can explain all the options, walk you through the tradeoffs, and tailor a plan that supports your specific goals.