5 Strategies Top Agents Use To Find Off-Market Properties

By Willie Miranda

Willie Miranda has more than 27 years of experience in the real estate and insurance industry. Willie and his team have sold well over 8,000 homes for over a billion and a half dollars in real estate sales.

How are you finding off-market properties for your buyers? If you’re like a lot of agents I’ve talked to lately, you know that the market is getting tougher and tougher out there. Most rely on the MLS, but with 15 or 20 other agents doing exactly the same thing, the odds aren’t exactly favorable.

So what can you do besides waiting for the MLS to spit out a new listing? The agents who are winning right now are being proactive— a big part of that is finding off-market properties. Here are five ways to do that.

1. Let everyone know you have a buyer. Start with your own database. Send a short, clear email to your contacts letting them know you have a qualified buyer looking for a specific type of home, like a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a certain school district and price range. Someone in your database might be ready to sell or know someone who is. Additionally, don’t forget about your investor contacts because they can be a great source of off-market deals, too.

2. Dig into expired, withdrawn, and FSBO listings. Go back up to three years for listings that expired or were withdrawn. Many of those homeowners still want to sell, and their situation might have changed. They may also be open to a one-time showing without listing publicly. If you have a qualified buyer, these sellers can be a gold mine. More importantly, don’t overlook For Sale By Owner listings. They’re often missed but can lead to solid deals.

3. Call listing agents who are active in your target area. Reach out to the top agents who sell frequently in your buyer’s target area. Give them a quick call and say, “I have a buyer interested in this neighborhood. Do you know of any upcoming listings or clients thinking of selling?” Agents often have pocket listings or know about homes before they hit the MLS. You should also check in with your own office because your colleagues might have leads or upcoming listings that aren’t public yet.

4. Use social media to your advantage. Social media is often underused. Instead of only posting “Just Sold” updates or testimonials, try sharing a post or short video saying, “I have a buyer looking in this area. If you’re thinking about selling, reach out to me.” I’ve seen this work really well. In fact, right after posting, we got calls from interested sellers. Use whatever platform fits you best, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. It’s another way to reach potential sellers who might be ready to talk.

5. Send direct mail campaigns. Yes, direct mail still works. Send a simple letter to the neighborhoods your buyer wants to live in, and let them know you have a serious buyer ready to pay full market value. You can use tax records to target specific types of homes or price ranges. If a basic “I have a buyer” letter feels stale, try sending one written from the buyer’s perspective. Some agents have their buyers write a note introducing themselves, explaining what they want, and inviting sellers to contact the agent if they’re thinking about selling. It adds a personal touch that helps you stand out.

Don’t just sit back and wait for the MLS to deliver a listing. Being reactive puts you in direct competition with a ton of other agents and drives your buyers crazy. Instead, be proactive and follow these tips to find off-market properties that help your buyers win. For any questions, feel free to call me at (518) 376-1073 or send an email to wmiranda@mrgteam.com. Let’s get those deals done!