Offers Before Listing

How can someone make an offer on a home that hasn’t even been publicly listed yet? These buyers aren’t psychic, and they don’t have a divining rod guiding them to homes about to hit the market. It’s a concept that only really works when a seller’s agent is leveraging their developed agent-to-agent network and marketing tools to rapidly identify and target active and qualified shoppers.

With the right process, it’s possible to draw serious buyers’ attention, and even trigger competitive offers, before your home is formally unveiled to the public.

It all comes down to timing, structure, and how early interest is managed.

Serious Buyers Are Already Watching

Unlike the old days, buyers no longer wait for the Sunday paper or a yard sign. Most active buyers check Zillow or Realtor.com every day, and many have agents watching ‘Coming Soon’ MLS activity and reaching out to reputable seller’s agents for early notice of new listings. That means your home is likely to be seen before it’s “officially” listed.

At 72SOLD, we use these opportunities to identify the best potential buyers immediately. Not after the first weekend. Not after a round of price drops. The goal is to reach serious in-market buyers within hours, often before the listing is live in its final form.

Controlled Access Creates Demand

One of the most effective ways to generate early offers is by limiting availability. If a buyer feels like they’re being given private access or seeing a home before others, they’re more likely to act fast. It’s the same psychology that drives VIP ticket sales or early product launches: exclusivity builds urgency.

72SOLD’s approach includes offering opportunity showings, which are essentially private tours for interested buyers who inquire early.

These aren’t run-of-the-mill showings. They’re intentional, structured moments that make the buyer feel like they’ve been granted special access. That framing changes how they think about your home, and ideally how soon they’ll be ready to make an offer.

“Would You Like the Seller to Consider an Offer?”

Most agents hope a buyer decides to submit an offer. But 72SOLD flips that script by asking a powerful question during early showings: “Would you like the seller to consider an offer before the home is made available to everyone else?”

There’s a lot being communicated in this one question. It reinforces the feeling of exclusivity the buyer got just by being invited to an early-access tour. They’re getting a unique opportunity other home shoppers won’t be afforded.

The question is carefully framed to imply competition. If the buyer says they’re not ready, there’s a real risk that the next person who sees the house will jump, potentially sparking a bidding war. Serious buyers who like a home may not want to lose this competition-free, limited-time window they’ve been granted.

People don’t like making big, long-term financial decisions quickly. They want to mull them over for days, which doesn’t benefit home sellers. For serious buyers, this question is often the nudge that gets them off the fence and into action.

Homes Don’t Need Time on Market to Generate Good Offers

Some sellers worry that accepting an offer before listing might leave money on the table. But when handled the right way, early offers don’t eliminate competition, they create it.

By controlling access and managing expectations, you encourage motivated buyers to bring strong bids early. And if multiple early buyers express interest, those offers can quickly turn into a bidding environment, with no need for a traditional open house or weeks on market.

It’s not about skipping steps. It’s about using psychology and structure to reach peak demand before the momentum fades.

Ensure Your Home Is Primed for Success Before Its Listing Even Hits the MLS

Getting offers before your home is officially on the market isn’t something that happens on its own. It requires using the right mix of marketing tools and relationships to identify serious buyers within 72 hours of your decision to sell.

When done right, it leads to stronger offers, fewer showings, and faster results.

At 72SOLD, we’ve built our process around early positioning, competitive framing, and strategic showings that turn interest into high-quality offers. Fill out the form on our website to learn more and get our price for your home.