Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable.
Mark Twain
May 2, 2015241
The rise of the off-market listing
How it’s defined and what it means for real estate
I receive at least 20 emails each week trumpeting “off market listing” in the subject line from an investor, seller, broker or some other third party (more on that third-party part later). The promised investment return, bargain basement price and other claims might be questionable, but the increasing number of off-market properties isn’t.
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, most people view a property as off-market when it’s not publicly for sale on the MLS or other common for-sale real estate websites.
But the term off-market is a misnomer — if it’s off the market, then why is it for sale? In reality, most off-market properties are simply not on the local MLS, but they are very much on the market.
This increase is a natural result of a couple forces at work simultaneously.
Agent motive
The listing agent might feel they can sell a hot property without putting it on the MLS — saving their seller the buyer agent commission, or pocketing it themselves. These types are often called “pocket listings” because the agent has them in their pocket and is keeping it to themselves.
Tightened inventory
Brokers will tell you that off-market or “pocket listings” are on the rise in most markets, and that you always see an increase in these properties when inventory is tight. Both of which are true.
But more is at play here than basic inventory dynamics or agents hoping for a double dip — which brings us to the third and biggest reason.
MLS is no longer the (only) market
The simple reality is just a few years ago, for all purposes, if a property wasn’t on the MLS, it meant it wasn’t really “on the market.”
The analogy I use is the stock market. If I want to invest in a blue chip tech company, I can research everything I need to know about any company on the Nasdaq, then buy the stock. But if a company is smaller, and not on the exchange, someone at that company better be superb at getting the word out because the pond of investors is much smaller.
It was the same in real estate in years past.
If a property wasn’t in the MLS, and you weren’t a marketing major, it didn’t look pretty out there. MLS equaled agents. And that meant buyers. So you listed with an agent because not doing so almost guaranteed longer marketing, more work and a lower sales price. It’s simple and undeniably true. If you wanted eyeballs on your home, you needed the MLS.
That’s no longer the case. There are plenty of websites that garner as many real-life views by potential buyers as your local MLS has agents with potential buyers. In fact, a lot of those views are from smart buyer’s agents who have learned that just cruising the MLS each week is no longer sufficient to find the right property for their buyer. In addition, many of these new online marketplaces are niche-focused — geared to the buyer looking for just the kind of property you’re selling.
Savvy investors are another reason for this continued shift. Many investors who know their markets can now market properties for free to those buyers and even straight to area agents. And they can share some of that increased profit in the form of concessions or extras to the buyer, giving more motive for buyers to purchase those “off market” properties.
Buyers and sellers are now in the driver’s seat. Some might be bad drivers, and they might have a fender bender or two, but it’s still their car to take out. They can, if they take the time to educate themselves, access an array of information on how to sell or buy a home. In addition, many more buyers today are doing their research online long before talking to an agent — meaning shorter shopping periods and more focused showings for all involved.
It also means an increase in caveat emptor (buyer beware) is needed by the public. Some sellers aren’t just trying to save commission — some are preying on buyers who don’t know the questions to ask, how to shop for fair financing or the very real need for inspections before investing in the biggest purchase of their life.
Author note: The truth is, even if in a different compensation structure — most consumers need a professional to help them stay out of those fender benders.
Exclusive representative, consultant, investment professional — whatever term, many of these in the off (shadow) market ultimately are unlicensed parties who live online and largely out of reach of most state regulators. (Shameless plug alert! — This is also why there is a need for more standardized, transparent platforms for all parties involved to do business and buyers and sellers to be protected, even if they are not using the MLS or an agent.)
Despite these risks, the tide isn’t going to change. There will continue to be an increasing number of off-market (not on MLS) properties competing parallel to the “traditional” market. Buyers and their agents will have to fish from both streams if they want to catch what they are looking for consistently.
Original story @ https://www.inman.com/2015/05/01/the-rise-of-the-off-market-listing/
FROM ME:
Phoenix Commercial Real Estate and Investment Real Estate: investors and Owner / Users need to really know the market today before making a move in Commercial Properties or Investment Properties in Phoenix / Tucson / Arizona, as the market has a lot of moving parts today. What is going on socio-economically, what is going on demographically, what is going on with location, with competing businesses, with public policy in general — all of these things affect the quality of selling or purchasing your Commercial Properties, Commercial Investment Properties and Commercial and large tracts of Residential Land in Phoenix / Tucson / Arizona. Therefore, you need a broker, a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) who is a recognized expert in the commercial and investment real estate industry and who understands Commercial Properties and Investment Properties.
I am marketing my listings on Costar, Loop-net CCIM, Kasten Long Commercial Group. I also sold hundreds millions of dollars’ worth of Investment Properties / Owner User Properties in Retail, Office Industrial, Multi-family and Land in Arizona and therefore I am working with brokers, Investors and Developers. I am also a CCIM and through this origination ( www.ccim.com ) I have access to marketing not only in the United States, but also international. Click here to find out what is a CCIM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCIM
1
http://walter-unger.com/?p=15472
2
Click here to find Reasons to Consider me for Commercial Referrals
http://walter-unger.com/?p=15010
3
Click here to View My Listings and Profile
http://www.loopnet.com/profile/14101172900/Walter-Unger-CCIM/Listings/
4
Click here to find out what is a CCIM:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCIM
5
Click here to view my website:
6
Interactive Map Of All 10+ Unit Apartment Listings in Metro Phoenix
http://www.easymapmaker.com/map/28cb3b8b3206c377a6f282d980dc7974
7
3rd QTR 2015 GREATER PHOENIX APARTMENT OWNER’S NEWSLETTER Kasten Long Commercial Grpup.
8
Click here: No Slowdown in New Construction in Q3 – Apartments
http://walter-unger.com/?p=15073
9
Click her to join my mailing list :
Walter Unger CCIM – walterunger@ccim.net – 1-520-975-5207 – http://walter-unger.com
2016 Official Arizona Visitors Guide
http://walter-unger.com/?p=13391
1
Timeline of Phoenix, Arizona history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Phoenix,_Arizona_history
2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix,_Arizona
3
Facts of Arizona – year 1848 to 2013
http://walter-unger.com/?p=9507
Feel free to contact Walter regarding any of these stories, the current market, distressed commercial real estate opportunities and needs, your property or your Investment Needs for Comercial Properties in Phoenix, Tucson, Arizona.
walterunger@ccim.net 1-520-975-5207
Check out my professional profile and connect with me on LinkedIn.
https://www.facebook.com/ungerccim
https://twitter.com/Walterunger
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/114560883588623379451/
Kasten Long Commercial Group tracks all advertised apartment communities, including those advertised by other brokerages. The interactive map shows the location of each community (10+ units) and each location is color coded by the size (number of total units).
Click here for Map of Apartments for Sale (10+units)
Walter Unger CCIM, CCSS, CCLS
I am a successful Commercial / Investment Real Estate Broker in Arizona now for 20 years. If you have any questions about Commercial / Investment Properties in Phoenix or Commercial / Investment Properties in Arizona, I will gladly sit down with you and share my expertise and my professional opinion with you. I am also in this to make money therefore it will be a win-win situation for all of us.
Please reply by e-mail walterunger@ccim.net or call me on my cell 520-975-5207
Walter Unger CCIM
Senior Associate Broker
Kasten Long Commercial Group
2821 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 600
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Direct: 520-975-5207
Fax: 602-865-7461
Reasons to Consider me for Commercial Referrals
Delivering the New Standard of Excellence in Commercial Real Estate
- Commercial Real Estate Scottsdale
- Commercial Real Estate Phoenix
- Commercial Real Estate Arizona
- Commercial Investment Properties Phoenix
- Commercial Investment Properties Scottsdale
- Commercial Investment Properties Arizona
- Land Specialist Arizona
- Arizona Land Specialist
- Land Specialist Phoenix
- Phoenix Land Specialist
- Land For Sale Phoenix
- Land for sale Arizona
- Commercial Properties For Sale Phoenix
- Commercial Real Estate Sales Phoenix
- Commercial Properties Phoenix
- Commercial Properties Arizona
- Commercial Land Specialist Phoenix
- Commercial Land Phoenix
- Multifamily land Phoenix
- Retail Land Phoenix
- Industrial Land Phoenix
- Land Commercial Phoenix
- Land Retail Phoenix
- Land Industrial Phoenix
- Land Multifamily Phoenix
- Industrial Land for sale Phoenix
- Land Industrial
- P
- Investment Real Estate
Disclaimer of Liability
The information in this blog-newsletter is for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided “as is,” with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.