If you’re trying to buy a home, you may be concerned that while you’re watching the MLS and every possible online listing site like a hawk, someone else is slipping into a private showing of the perfect house you’ll never even know existed.
And to be fair, it’s not hard to see where that fear comes from. Some listings really are exclusive for a short time. Some agents do shop homes around privately before they hit the market. And for buyers who’ve been burned before—who lost out on a house because they moved too slow, or didn’t even hear about it until it was under contract—it’s easy to think the only way to win is to out-hustle the system.
So instead of settling in with a single agent, some buyers try to keep their options open. They bounce around, follow every lead, contact listing agents directly, and stay ready to move fast—just in case something pops up and disappears before the rest of the world finds out.
But that kind of thinking and approach can backfire…
Most “Exclusive” Listings Don’t Stay Exclusive for Long
The truth is, most of those “secret” homes buyers are worried about missing usually end up on the market anyway. The vast majority of homes that start off as private or “office exclusive” listings make their way to the MLS—often within a few days.
According to data from Bright MLS, over 90% of listings that start out as “office exclusives” end up on the MLS anyway. Sellers want exposure. They want competition. And while the idea of an off-market deal sounds appealing, especially in a tight market, it’s rarely as secret—or as advantageous—as it seems.
While that still leaves around a 10% that sell without hitting the MLS, that would also include houses that aren’t even in your price range, let alone checking off all the must-haves on your wishlist.
So instead of worrying about missing out on the best house for your wants and needs, you might want to be more concerned about missing out on the right agent to help you buy it!
Worry Less About Inventory. Worry More About Who’s Guiding You.
Some buyers believe that not committing to one buyer’s agent gives them more flexibility or a better shot at certain homes—especially those rumored to be “off-market.” They think it makes more sense to contact listing agents directly or bounce between different buyer’s agents out of fear that they’ll miss a house just because they weren’t working with the right agent at the right time. They’ll spend more energy trying to avoid missing a listing than they do choosing the person who will represent them during one of the biggest financial decisions of their life
But this approach often ends up doing more harm than good—and can actually reduce a buyer’s access to homes and make the process more stressful, more confusing, and less effective.
Here are a few reasons why you should focus on hiring the best buyer’s agent you can, rather than on potentially missing out on an off-market listing:
- It will be almost impossible for you to know every agent and every “secret” listing. No matter how on top of the market you are, it would be almost impossible for you to know every single agent in the area, and be in the loop when any one of them happens to have an exclusive listing. That alone would be a full-time job.
- The best way to find the homes you’re afraid of missing… is often by committing to a strong agent, not avoiding one. The best agents aren’t just watching the MLS. They’re talking to other agents, walking neighborhoods, attending broker opens, and learning about homes coming soon, or even ones that might be for sale with the right approach. When you work with a connected buyer’s agent, you benefit from their network—which sometimes means getting a heads-up about off-market listings you won’t see online.
- Working with multiple agents can actually limit what they’ll share with you. Some buyers think it’s smart to “test drive” several agents or avoid signing anything official. But agents are more likely to give their full energy, time, and insider knowledge to buyers who commit. It’s a two-way relationship.
- You’ll get better advice. A dedicated agent learns your preferences, helps refine your search, and notices patterns in what you like and dislike, which can make finding the best house for your needs easier. It also helps an agent get to know your personal situation, which helps them give tailored advice and negotiate better on your behalf.
- You won’t have your own representation. Going directly to the listing agent can be a real disadvantage when it’s time to negotiate. While dual agency is allowed in many areas (with consent), you won’t get private strategy advice, price guidance based on your goals, or someone truly looking out for your best interests. You’ll get fairness… not loyalty. Dual agents must remain neutral—but neutrality isn’t the same as advocacy. And in a complex transaction with money, inspections, and repairs on the line, it helps to have someone fighting for your interests.
The smartest move isn’t casting the widest net; it’s choosing the right guide through the process.
Before jumping into showings, scrolling endlessly, or sending out messages to multiple agents, take the time to choose one great buyer’s agent. Commit to them, communicate your goals clearly, and give them room to advocate for you.
Chances are, you’ll see everything you need to—and maybe even some homes you wouldn’t have found on your own.
The Takeaway:
If you’re afraid of missing out on “secret” listings, you’re not alone. But the truth is, most of what buyers worry about missing will make its way to the market—and often sooner than expected.
What’s more important is choosing the right buyer’s agent to guide you through the process. One who’s connected, experienced, and committed to your success. Because the best homes don’t just go to the buyer who casts the widest net—they go to the best-prepared ones.
Start with the right agent. Stick with them. And the right house is much more likely to follow.
