Compass has entered into a new agreement with Redfin that will allow Compass agents to syndicate up to 500,000 off-market listings, including “Coming Soon” properties, to Redfin’s platform. This move gives home sellers access to Redfin’s audience of 60 million monthly viewers if they choose Compass’ three-phase marketing strategy. Private exclusive listings are expected to be included in the future.
Agents say this partnership could change how luxury homes are marketed in Texas, a state known for its privacy-minded sellers. Many wealthy homeowners prefer off-market deals to keep property tax appraisals low and maintain discretion. According to Somer Padilla, a Compass agent in Houston, “I do foresee some private exclusives for luxury not going to [Redfin]. However, we have never had access to this large of a buyer pool to really test aspirational pricing.”
Michael Reisor, who works for Compass in Austin and New York, said the expanded exposure could appeal to sellers looking for maximum information and visibility before listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). “If we have a seller whose objective is to get maximum information and exposure before going on MLS, then the Redfin path is a great option,” Reisor said. “You don’t have days on market, you don’t have price drops, you don’t have anything like that.”
One feature drawing interest is the ability for Compass agents to list “Coming Soon” properties without an asking price on Redfin. This addresses concerns from sellers aiming to avoid higher appraisals by keeping prices private—an approach similar to what other Texas platforms like Clubhouse offer.
Padilla described the development as significant: “This is historic in my eyes.” Still, she noted that many high-end sellers value privacy above all else. Reisor added: “Higher-end sellers — typically it’s higher-end properties — they’re often personally private, which is kind of the genesis of off-market private listings to begin with. They don’t want their personal items and the home really ever to reach that volume of people.”
Off-market transactions also carry an element of exclusivity that appeals strongly in luxury circles. Padilla cited this as a reason some clients pursue private marketing: “Exclusivity. There is value in everyone not having access to that property.” She further explained that broad exposure through Redfin does not necessarily undermine exclusivity: “If a seller does choose to leverage the Compass/Redfin Coming Soon platform, it does not diminish exclusivity,” she said. “It allows us to define it.”
Texas has several established off-market networks where these practices are common among residential real estate professionals.
