Sometimes homeowners prefer selling their home as a “pre-listing or Non-MLS”, before it officially hits the market.  This approach can be advantageous for various reasons:

It can be more convenient.  The Seller doesn’t have to contend with showings that can be inconvenient.  For instance, those with an illness, children or dogs, that need to leave during showings. 

Not ready to go on the market.  The home may need some work done and/or some staging needed before having professional photographs taken.  Some prefer to avoid the effort and monies needed to get ready, if they can find a Buyer that will love their home “as it is”.  Buying and Selling is an emotional process and there is power in the love of accepting a home as it is. 

Test the market without the effort.  When a potential Buyer has the inside scoop on a pre-listing (which is a definite advantage in our current market), they should be inclined to offer a good price to the Seller.  Some buyers offer above “asking price”.

Personal timing.  A pre-listing offer might afford the Seller & Buyer to agree to timing that is most convenient for the Seller and lessen the burden of meeting the Buyers’ timeline.