Private listings, office exclusives, coming soon statuses, Zillow, Compass… whew. In this episode, Katy and Alissa tackle one of the messiest conversations happening in real estate right now: private listings in real estate and what they actually mean for agents, buyers, and sellers.

With lawsuits flying, MLS rules evolving, and brokerages rolling out their own "exclusive" systems, it's getting harder to tell what's ethical, what's legal, and what's truly in the client's best interest. Katy breaks down the Zillow vs. Compass lawsuit, while Alissa shares real-life scenarios where private listings and coming soon statuses can either protect a client—or quietly hurt them.

This episode isn't about picking sides. It's about transparency, consumer trust, and making sure agents aren't letting billion-dollar companies dictate how they serve their clients.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

What private listings, office exclusives, and coming soon listings actually mean
Why pocket listings quietly disappeared—and came back with new names
The Zillow vs. Compass lawsuit and why listings are the real battleground
How private listings affect buyers, sellers, and fair housing
When coming soon listings can work *in a seller's favor*
Why MLS exposure still matters for pricing and trust
The real ethical issue agents should be paying attention to

Key Quotes & Takeaways

Alissa: "If everyone starts hiding listings, it becomes a fair housing nightmare." Katy: "This isn't about agents or platforms—it's about listings. And listings belong to the consumer." Alissa: "If the house is ready and the photos are done, it should be on the market." Katy: "Open markets create trust. Closed systems create confusion." Alissa: "If your client doesn't understand what you're doing, you're not serving them."

Products, People & Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Email Templates 101

Listing Agreement Cover Letter

FREE Database Template

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Music:

"Straight A's" by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/

"The Good Life" by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life

"Be The One" by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one