MARKET UPDATES
What is a coming soon listing?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
Coming soon is the staging period of a listing. The agent may put up a sign, share the home privately, and build a buyer list, while the listing is not yet active in the full market.
Full answer
Coming soon is the staging period of a listing. The agent may put up a sign, share the home privately, and build a buyer list, while the listing is not yet active in the full market. The goal is to generate interest and, in a strong market, a prepared buyer ready to act the moment the home goes live.
Used honestly, coming soon helps a seller test interest and coordinate timing, for example preparing the home or aligning an upcoming move, without the pressure of an active listing clock. It is most effective in markets where buyers are waiting and watching.
Used poorly, coming soon can become a way to shop the home off-market or to mask a slow market, which helps no one. Buyers should know that a coming soon home is not yet available for showings or offers under the standard rules, and sellers should know the local rules around what marketing is permitted before the listing is active.
The value of coming soon depends on the market's balance at the moment. In a seller-leaning market it can build real anticipation. In a balanced or buyer-leaning market, the full active listing with broad exposure is usually the stronger play.
A note from Steve: market conditions change every month, and numbers quoted anywhere can go stale quickly. The guidance on this page is meant to stay true across markets. For the latest Southern Nevada figures, check the Market Updates page or ask me directly, and I will read the current data through your situation.
Go a little deeper
Frequently asked
Questions people often follow up on
Can I make an offer on a coming soon home?
Under standard rules, a coming soon home is not yet available for showings or offers until it goes active. If you are interested, the right move is to get your financing ready and tell your agent, so you can act the moment the home is officially listed.
Does coming soon help a seller get more money?
It can build anticipation and attract ready buyers, which supports a strong price in a market with real demand. It does not change the value evidence, only the atmosphere around the sale, and atmosphere matters most where buyers are already competing.
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: we use coming soon only when it fits the plan, the timing, and the market balance, and we follow the local rules to the letter. A launch is a marketing event, and it deserves a strategy, not just a setting.
Schedule a Consultation