Does Off Market Mean Sold on Zillow?
Learn to accurately interpret property statuses on popular real estate platforms. Understand the nuances of online listing data beyond surface labels.
Online platforms like Zillow have become central to how individuals search for properties. These digital tools provide extensive databases of homes, offering a convenient way to explore listings and gather information. They have transformed the property search experience by centralizing data that was once fragmented. Many people rely on these platforms for initial property research and market insights.
Understanding “Off-Market” in Real Estate
The term “off-market” refers to a property not actively listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other public channels. This means the property is not broadly advertised to the general public. Common reasons for a property being off-market include a seller withdrawing their listing, a listing agreement expiring without a sale, or the property being sold privately. Sometimes, properties are temporarily removed for renovations or because the seller’s personal circumstances change.
Properties can also be considered off-market if they are “pocket listings,” where an agent markets the property privately to a select group of potential buyers rather than widely advertising it. This approach is often chosen for privacy or to test market interest without formally listing.
Zillow’s “Off-Market” Status and What It Means
On Zillow, a property labeled “off-market” indicates that it is not currently available for sale on the platform. This status does not automatically mean the property has been sold. Instead, “off-market” on Zillow encompasses several scenarios.
One common reason for an “off-market” status is that a property’s listing expired or was withdrawn from the MLS. A seller might withdraw a listing due to changes in their plans, renovations, or to wait for different market conditions. The property could also have been sold, but Zillow has not yet processed the public record of the sale.
Properties sold through private transactions, never officially listed on the MLS, will also appear as “off-market” on Zillow. Zillow uses a distinct “Sold” status when it has confirmed sale data. This differs from “Pending,” which means an offer has been accepted and the sale is in progress, or “Active,” meaning the property is currently available for sale.
Why Zillow Data Can Be Confusing
The frequent confusion surrounding Zillow’s property statuses, especially “off-market” versus “sold,” stems from the diverse sources of data Zillow aggregates and the timing of these updates. Zillow pulls information from various channels, including MLS feeds, public records, and user submissions. While MLS feeds provide current listing information, updates from public records, such as county recorder’s offices, often experience significant delays.
It can take weeks or months for a property’s sale to be officially recorded in public records, and for Zillow to then reflect a “Sold” status. This lag means a property might have already been sold but still shows as “off-market” on Zillow due to the pending public record update. Zillow’s data updating process also means properties may transition from “sold” to “off-market” after three to six months post-sale, even if the sale information remains in the property’s history.