While spring is traditionally considered the peak season for real estate in Lamorinda, savvy individuals are increasingly recognizing the importance of off-market properties year-round. In fact, in 2024, our team has already closed 7 escrows. Of the seven, we have represented two buyers on luxury Lafayette homes we found off-market and one off-market Lafayette seller, for whom we were able to secure two beautiful offers! This means 42% of our transactions have taken place off-market. We are working on another fabulous Lafayette off-market property that will be available to be seen this Friday and is listed for $3,950,000! 

Off-market properties can be purchased before the home hits the full public market. Off-market sales can also benefit sellers by selling their property at a fair price and avoiding certain aspects of public open houses and un-vetted showings. We still stage, photograph, inspect, prep, and prepare an off-market property with the same due diligence and care that we do for properties that are going on the full MLS. 

Here are some reasons why these hidden gems are becoming more important and how they can benefit both buyers and sellers. 

Exclusive Access (benefits both buyers and sellers)
Off-market properties are not listed on the multiple listing services (MLS) or popular real estate websites, making them a secret treasure trove for those in the know. Buyers working with experienced real estate agents often gain access to these exclusive listings, increasing their chances of finding a property that perfectly suits their needs. Sellers can also benefit from this exclusivity, as it allows for a more targeted approach to marketing their homes to potential buyers who are genuinely interested. 

Limited Competition (benefits buyers)
One of the most significant advantages of off-market properties is the reduced competition. During the spring, the real estate market is often flooded with eager buyers, leading to bidding wars and inflated prices. By their very nature, off-market properties are less exposed to the general market, giving buyers a distinct advantage. 

Off-Market Doesn't Mean Low Quality
It's a common misconception that off-market properties are somehow inferior to those listed on the MLS. On the contrary, many off-market properties are high-quality homes that simply haven't been publicly advertised. Buyers focusing exclusively on MLS listings may miss exceptional opportunities in the 2024 market. 

To conclude, off-market properties offer unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you are considering selling, our team has developed a strategy to simplify the off-market process and make your choices easier. We have created a proprietary off-market protocol that outlines three ways to sell your home off-market. If this interests you, please email me at Dana@danagreenteam.com, and I’d be happy to share our protocol. 

With over 1,200 sales and a deep bench of past and loyal clients, our team is in an amazing position to help you achieve your real estate goals. It also helps that COMPASS represents approximately 32% market share as the Clear Cooperation Rules we must abide by stipulate that we can only market an off-market property to our clients and our brokerage. The next real estate company has approximately 12% market share and it drops from there. If we were not part of COMPASS, with massive market share in all major markets that feed to Lamorinda, we would not feel nearly as confident selling your home off-market. 

We are on standby to answer your questions! And if you would like information on our next exciting Lafayette off-market opportunity, please reach out to us.