About 1-in-4 home sales are reportedly pocket listings in some Northern California markets, and the California Association of REALTORS® is warning agents to tread carefully.

CAR says that pocket listings or off-MLS listings are not illegal if the listing agent fully discloses the pros and cons to the home seller and follows the rules, but CAR says pocket listings “may not be in the best interest of the property owner ” particularly if a client does not know about the benefits of marketing his or her property through the MLS.”

CAR has published a booklet on pocket listings for agents to provide to their clients, “The Pros and Cons of Off-MLS Listings: What Consumers and Real Estate Agents Should Know.”

CAR warns that “pocket listings” can adversely affect a seller’s goal of getting the best price reasonably for a home.

The increase in pocket listings has alarmed many in the industry, particularly at a time with inventory shortages in many markets. For example, 26 percent of home sales were pocket listings in the first quarter of 2013 in some Northern California markets, according to a recent study by MLSListings Inc. That’s an increase from 15 percent in 2012.

The author of this article is: realtormag.realtor.org

See the original post at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/06/28/california-association-warns-about-pocket-listings