If you knew that selling your home off-market could cost you thousands, would you still do it?
That’s the reality many homeowners faced in 2023 and 2024. A new Zillow study found that sellers lost a staggering $1 billion nationwide by skipping the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—with each home selling for an average of $4,975 less. In high-value markets like California, that number skyrocketed to $30,000 per home.
Now, with interest rates easing and more buyers entering the market, maximizing your home’s exposure is more critical than ever.
MLS vs. Off-Market Sales: The Truth About Exposure
MLS Listings: The Power of Maximum Exposure
The MLS is the main stage for home sales, ensuring your property reaches the widest possible audience and generates maximum competition.
✅ Your home appears on top real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.
✅ Every active buyer and agent sees it, increasing demand.
✅ More buyers = more competition, multiple offers, and a higher sale price.
Off-Market Sales: Limited Exposure = Lost Money
Some agents may encourage private sales or pocket listings, but these limit your buyer pool and often result in lower offers.
🚫 The home is marketed to a small, exclusive group of buyers.
🚫 Less competition means fewer offers and lower sale prices.
🚫 On average, sellers who went off-market lost 1.5% of their home’s value.
The numbers don’t lie—more exposure leads to higher profits.
Why Do Some Sellers Skip the MLS?
While some homeowners opt for off-market sales due to privacy concerns or convenience, the reality is less exposure equals less money.
📉 Nationwide, sellers lost an average of $4,975 per home by avoiding the MLS.
📉 In California, sellers lost over $30,000 per home.
📉 Homes at every price point—from starter homes to luxury estates—saw significant price reductions when not listed on the MLS.
Even if your home is on the MLS, factors like poor marketing, bad pricing strategies, and restricted showings can still cost you tens of thousands.
How to Sell for the Highest Price Possible
1. Maximize Marketing & Exposure
Just being on the MLS isn’t enough—your home needs a strategic marketing plan to attract the right buyers at the right price.
🔹 Professional photography & videography to showcase your home in its best light.
🔹 Aggressive digital marketing to reach qualified buyers beyond just MLS listings.
🔹 Open houses, virtual tours, and strategic listing launches to create urgency and demand.
At Amy Stockberger Real Estate, our Seller Operation Support (SOS) system ensures your home gets the maximum exposure possible—from staging recommendations to high-impact digital marketing.
2. Price It Right from Day One
Pricing a home too high means it sits on the market, leading to price cuts and lower offers. Pricing too low means leaving money on the table.
What to ask your Realtor:
✔️ How do you determine the best listing price?
✔️ What’s the average sale-to-list price ratio in my area?
✔️ What pricing strategies do you use to attract multiple offers?
At Amy Stockberger Real Estate, we use customized pricing strategies designed to drive demand, competition, and top-dollar results.
3. Choose the Right Selling Program for Your Needs
Not every seller’s situation is the same. That’s why we offer multiple selling solutions to fit your timeline and financial goals.
🚀 Guaranteed Sale Program – If your home doesn’t sell in a set time frame, we’ll buy it ourselves.
🚀 Instant Offer Program – Need to sell fast? We’ll provide a competitive, hassle-free cash offer.
🚀 Trade-Up Program – Buying and selling at the same time? We’ll help you move first and sell for top dollar after.
No matter your situation, we have a solution that works for you.
4. Make Your Home Show-Ready
Buyers won’t fight for a home they can’t see. If your agent restricts access, limits showings, or fails to create urgency, you’re leaving serious money on the table.
At Amy Stockberger Real Estate, our Home Support Team connects sellers with trusted local contractors, painters, and stagers—often at discounted rates through our exclusive partnerships.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
🏡 Sellers lost $1 billion by skipping the MLS.
🏡 Even MLS-listed homes can lose thousands without the right strategy.
🏡 Now is the time to maximize your exposure and secure the highest possible price.
With interest rates dropping into the low 6% range for 30-year loans and high 5% range for 15-year loans, buyer demand is increasing. Now is the time to sell smart.
At Amy Stockberger Real Estate, our proven Seller Success Strategies give you every advantage:
✔ Seller Operation Support (SOS) Program
✔ Guaranteed Sale, Instant Offer, and Trade Up Programs
✔ Home Support Team for pre-market upgrades
✔ Advanced marketing & pricing strategies to sell for top dollar
Your home is one of your biggest investments—make sure you get every dollar it’s worth.
