What Is a Withdrawn Listing in Real Estate?
Navigate the complexities of real estate listing statuses. Understand what it means when a property isn't actively on the market and its implications for buyers and sellers.
Real estate listings represent a formal agreement between a property owner and a licensed agent to market a property for sale. These listings are recorded and managed within a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a comprehensive database used by real estate professionals. Properties progress through various statuses within the MLS, reflecting their current availability and transaction stage. Understanding these statuses is important for anyone participating in the real estate market.
What a Withdrawn Listing Means
A withdrawn listing signifies that a property has been removed from the active market. It is no longer actively marketed or shown to potential buyers through the MLS, usually at the seller’s request. The contractual agreement between the seller and their real estate agent remains valid and in effect. This represents a temporary pause in marketing, not a termination of the agency relationship.
The property’s status shifts from active to withdrawn, indicating a pause in the selling process. The listing is not available for showings or offers, but the existing listing agreement typically continues until its original expiration date.
Common Reasons for Withdrawing a Listing
Sellers often choose to withdraw a listing due to changes in their personal circumstances. This could include unexpected family emergencies, canceled job transfers, or a temporary change of mind about selling.
Property-related issues also frequently lead to a listing being withdrawn. Sellers might need to undertake repairs, complete renovations, or improve the home’s staging. Temporarily removing the property allows these improvements without the pressure of ongoing showings.
Strategic market considerations can also prompt a withdrawal. A seller might withdraw a listing to reset its “days on market” count, which can impact buyer perception, or to re-evaluate the pricing strategy. This temporary removal allows sellers to adjust their approach without the property appearing stale.
How “Withdrawn” Differs from Other Listing Statuses
The “withdrawn” status is distinct from other common MLS classifications, each carrying different implications for the property and its associated agreements. An “active” listing, for instance, means the property is currently available for sale, actively marketed, and open for showings and offers. In contrast, a withdrawn property is not actively marketed or shown, even though a listing agreement is still in place.
When a property is “pending” or “under contract,” an offer has been accepted, and the transaction is progressing toward closing. This differs from a withdrawn listing, where no active offer is being pursued, and the property is not available for purchase.
An “expired” listing indicates that the listing agreement between the seller and agent has reached its end date without a sale. Withdrawn listings, however, maintain a valid listing agreement, which simply pauses active marketing.
A “canceled” listing means the listing agreement has been formally terminated, often by mutual agreement between the seller and agent. Unlike a withdrawn listing, a canceled listing typically ends the contractual relationship, allowing the seller to list with a new agent or remove the property entirely. A “sold” status, the final stage, indicates that the property has successfully closed, and ownership has been transferred.
What Happens After a Listing is Withdrawn
Once a listing is withdrawn, the property is no longer publicly visible on the Multiple Listing Service or popular real estate websites. The listing agent cannot actively market the property or conduct showings. Despite this, the seller remains bound by the terms of the original listing agreement.
For sellers, a withdrawn listing offers the ability to reactivate it without needing a new agreement. The property can be returned to an “active” status when the seller is ready. This provides flexibility to address issues or re-evaluate strategies.
For buyers, properties marked as “withdrawn” are not searchable or viewable through public real estate platforms. Buyers cannot request showings or submit offers directly through the MLS system for such properties. If a buyer was interested, their agent would need to inquire directly with the listing agent to understand the property’s future availability.