Even as the market shifts and enters a slower season, inventory in Boulder is hard to come by. If you’ve been dreaming of finding the most perfect Boulder luxury homes, one option to consider is keeping your ear to the ground for off-market, or office-exclusive listings. Here, I share insight and offer tips to increase your odds of finding a needle in a haystack.
What Is an Off Market Listing?
Browsing real estate sites and searching for properties on TikTok aren’t the only ways to find your dream home. Although you may come across a home (or several) that seem perfect, the reality is that another buyer may beat you to the punch. If you’re one of the lucky few, you just might be able to avoid the competition by being in the know about pocket listings. An off-market listing, is a home that isn’t publicly listed, and is sold privately. Sellers may choose to avoid MLS when they’re trying to protect their privacy, or when they’re open to selling but aren’t sold on it yet. In this type of situation, you’ll need a connection to help you make an offer.
How to Find Off-Market Listings
While off-market listings aren’t the norm, these opportunities occasionally pop up and can be fantastic investments. If you’re interested in finding this rare opportunity, here are ways you may be able to nab one of these hidden gems:
- Work with an experienced realtor. Landing an off-market listing is all about who you know, so the best thing you can do to up your chances of finding one is to work with a highly connected realtor. Your agent should be intimately familiar with the area you’re shopping in and have an extensive network.
- Scope out the neighborhood. If there’s a specific neighborhood that you have your heart set on, it doesn’t hurt to do a little detective work. By exploring the area, you can get a feel for values, draw inspiration from what you like, or even work with your agent to determine whether any of the owners are willing to sell.
- Grow your network. Since off-market listings don’t come around every day, you’ll need a solid network in order to find one. Don’t be afraid to let friends, family, and colleagues know that you’re ready to buy (especially if they have a connection to a neighborhood you’re interested in). When the people you’re close to know that you’re looking and ready to buy, they’ll be more likely to keep you in mind if someone they know is thinking about selling.
There’s no denying that Boulder is a seller’s market. Our incredible city is highly desirable, and there’s just not enough inventory to keep up with buyer demand. If you’re interested in purchasing a property among Boulder luxury homes, be sure to work with a realtor who has the experience to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Office exclusive listings are hard to find, but not impossible if you have a savvy agent on your side. If you’d like to work with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out.