6 Tips to Help You Purchase a Home Before Its Owner Releases It into the Market

Bernard Reynolds
Published Apr 27, 2025

After planning and researching the house you want to buy, it may be time to make your dream come true. You may have settled on the location you prefer, the street, or looking for the simplest way to complete the purchasing procedure. You can buy a house without using the traditional way of following specific processes. It is possible to buy a home before it releases into the market. While it may be challenging to locate such homes, you might be fortunate if you work hard and work with the right people. These six tips will guide you on how best to find the right home before listing:
 

1. Work with a Reputable Real Estate Agent


It would be best to work with an experienced realtor because they have the skills to help you find the kind of house you need. With many years of experience, the real estate agent can easily connect with homeowners and other realtors who might help them locate your dream home.

Choose an agent representing a large, well-known firm because they may liaise with their workmates to help you find a house that suits your needs. In addition, the housing agent may communicate with other realtors who know other homes for sale before they hit the market.

The house agent you choose may let you know of some listings coming up in the future. They should communicate with property owners on your behalf to get information about any houses they want to sell before releasing them into the market. Even though you can as well communicate directly with the homeowner, it would be better to allow the agent to do that for you for better results.
 

2. Explore the House’s Neighborhood


If you plan to buy a home in a specific area, visit the neighborhood and see if there is a house you need to learn about. The tour will help you learn about the prices of houses in the area. You might also meet with property owners looking for people to buy their houses.

If you find a house you like, you can contact its owner or ask your real estate agent to do it to ask if they want to sell it. If you don’t have the property owner’s contact, request the neighbors or check for it from the locality’s tax records.
 

3. Find a House Through Networking


Networking is a great strategy to help you get homes before their owners list them on the market. For example, your colleagues, friends, and family may know of houses on sale in their neighborhood. Let them know the kind of house you are looking for and your preferred locality so they can tell you if they know anywhere they live.

Also, as you network with professionals and workmates in social clubs and business meetings, let those you interact with know you are searching for a home to buy. You might be lucky to meet a willing seller in such meetings or someone who will connect you with others selling their properties.
 

4. Talk to Members of Homeowner’s Associations and Community Groups


If the neighborhood you want to move into has a community group or a homeowner’s association, ask the members if they know anyone in the locality looking for a buyer for their property. You may also get such information from the area’s social media pages.
 

5. Look for Homes on Pre-Foreclosure or Foreclosure


While searching for a house, contact the homeowners who risk losing their houses and ask if you can purchase them. Most property owners in such situations would prefer to sell their homes instead of losing them. Also, check online for organizations that can help you find homes whose owners cannot remit their mortgages.
 

6. Contact a Few Residents in Your Desired Neighborhood


When looking for an off-market house for sale, contact the residents in the area you want to relocate to and ask them if they know any property owners selling their homes. Prepare the emails or contact a professional to do it for you.

As explained above, several ways exist to locate an off-market house for sale. After finding your dream home, decide how you will finance it and pay its down payment before getting a loan prequalification. While off-market listings have numerous benefits, their stability may differ from traditional listing methods. However, you can buy a pocket-listed home through proper preparations and finding the right seller.

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