In a recent article on HousingWire, Douglas Elliman CEO Michael Liebowitz stood firm on not wanting private listings to become the norm (Douglas Elliman Doesn’t Want Private Listings to be the Norm). I share this stance on the importance of transparency and equal access in real estate and this is the reason listings should be posted online in a platform where all buyers can see it. While private listings can be appropriate to test a price or to shield a celebrity from unwanted publicity about the sale of their home, private listings should be an exception rather than the standard.
Sellers benefit most when brokerages prioritize their interests and follow the time-tested principle that maximum exposure typically leads to a higher sales price. Sellers should be cautious of companies that heavily promote the percentage of listings that begin privately or incentivize agents to keep listings off the open market. This practice limits public access to properties and may be structured to increase the likelihood of representing both buyer and seller. I believe this policy is a breach of their fiduciary duty.
The choice to list a property privately must come directly from the seller—not as a default practice or brokerage directive. By embracing transparency and broad market exposure, we not only honor our clients’ preferences but also help ensure their property reaches the widest pool of potential buyers.
