🎯 Dual Agency & Pocket Listings in 2025: Who Really Benefits?

In a market where every decision matters and transparency is more valuable than ever, two hot-button practices are making headlines again: dual agency and pocket listings.

You may have heard these terms tossed around during your home search or sale prep—but what do they really mean for buyers and sellers like you? And more importantly… are they helping or hurting your bottom line? 🤔

Let’s dive in. 👇

💡 What is Dual Agency?

Simply put, dual agency is when the same agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in a single transaction.

It sounds efficient, right? One person. One point of contact. One smooth transaction.

But here's the thing… that same person has to serve two sides with different goals—and that’s where things get murky. 🌀

⚖️ The Case For Dual Agency (According to Some)

To be fair, there are some potential upsides that get touted:

• ✅ Streamlined communication: Only one person in the middle, which could make scheduling and updates quicker.
  
  
• ✅ Faster negotiations: The agent may be able to move offers along more quickly if they’re managing both sides.
  
  

But… the question isn’t whether it’s faster. It’s whether it’s fair.

🚨 The Real Risks of Dual Agency

Here’s where things start to unravel. 👇

• ❌ Divided loyalty: An agent legally can't favor one party over the other. So what happens with negotiating? Go ask someone else because “your” agent can’t answer.
  
  
• ❌ Weakened advocacy: You won't get the strategic guidance you deserve, especially in negotiations.
  
  
• ❌ Limited transparency: What if the agent knows the seller would accept less—or the buyer would pay more? How can they ethically advise both parties? Oh that’s right, they can’t!
  
  

💭 Think about it like this: If you were being sued, would you want the same attorney representing you and the person suing you? Of course not.

That’s why many agents (myself included) choose not to engage in dual agency. When clients hire me, they get my full loyalty, period. We are a designated agency office, see future blog, and only one agent from your office can represent you as a buyer or seller. 🤝

🔍 Pocket Listings: Private… but Problematic

Now let’s talk pocket listings. 🧥

Also called "office exclusives", this is when a home is marketed privately—often only within one brokerage’s internal network—rather than being made available to the full market through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Some brokerages like Compass have leaned into this model, claiming it gives sellers:

• ✅ More privacy
  
  
• ✅ A chance to “test the waters”
  
  
• ✅ Less public pressure during the sales process
  
  

But there’s a problem… a big one.

❗ Why Pocket Listings Can Hurt More Than Help

• ❌ Reduced exposure: Fewer eyeballs = fewer offers. And fewer offers = lower competition.
  
  
• ❌ Lower sale prices: Studies have shown that homes marketed only as pocket listings don’t sell for more—and in many cases, take longer to sell.
  
  
• ❌ Unfair access: These listings aren’t made available to all buyers, which limits opportunity and violates the spirit of a fair and open market.
  
  

📣 Zillow recently announced that they would no longer allow listings on their platform that are not submitted to the MLS within one business day of public marketing. eXp was quick to join in solidarity, the nation's leader in sales volume. Their moves align with what many of us in the industry have been advocating for: equal access and full transparency.

🧭 My Take: Clients Deserve Clarity, Not Conflicts

I believe real estate should be:

• Transparent 🪟
  
  
• Inclusive 🤝
  
  
• And guided by ethical practices that empower buyers and sellers—not confuse or disadvantage them
  
  

Here’s what that means for you if we work together:

• I don’t represent both sides in a transaction—I’m in your corner, 100%.
  
  
• I believe all listings should be fully visible on the MLS—because your home deserves every opportunity to shine.
  
  
• And I’ll never suggest a strategy that’s good for me but questionable for you.
  
  

🗣️ Final Thoughts

Whether you're thinking of buying or selling, your interests deserve to be front and center. Not shared. Not diluted. And definitely not tucked away in someone’s back pocket.

You should feel confident that the person representing you is working for you, not trying to split the difference.

If you're ready to navigate the market with clarity and a strategy designed for success—I'm here for you. Let’s talk. 🙌