The ranking is based on how likely the activity is to:
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Appear in public MLS-linked databases, and
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Be tracked by consumer sites (Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com) that could carry over “days on site.”
Pre-MLS Marketing Vehicles Ranked by DOM Impact Risk
| Rank | Marketing Vehicle | DOM Impact Risk | Why It’s Safe (or Not) | DOM Reset When MLS Listed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Buyer Outreach / Email to Agents or Investors | None (0%) | Completely off-market and private; never publicly listed. | Always resets (no DOM yet). |
| 2 | Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn) | Very Low | No MLS integration; posts are not indexed by real estate data feeds. | Always resets. |
| 3 | Craigslist / Local Classifieds | Very Low | Independent listing with no MLS or portal link. | Always resets. |
| 4 | Private “Coming Soon” List within Brokerage (not MLS) | Very Low | Broker network only; doesn’t trigger MLS DOM until Active. | Resets when public. |
| 5 | Property Website or Custom Landing Page | Low | Seller-controlled domain; not tied to any data feed. | Resets when listed on MLS. |
| 6 | Print Media (Flyers, Newspaper, Mailers) | Low | Offline marketing — DOM can’t accrue without MLS data. | Resets. |
| 7 | Pocket Listing (Agent marketed privately to clients) | Moderate | Allowed under “Coming Soon” rules if not public; risk if publicly searchable. | Resets when publicly Active. |
| 8 | Investor / Wholesaler Networks | Moderate | Private groups usually safe, but public investor sites might be scraped by data aggregators. | Usually resets. |
| 9 | Zillow FSBO | High | Zillow will track “Days on Zillow.” If relisted in MLS too soon (within ~30 days), counter may continue. | May not reset immediately. |
| 10 | Redfin / Realtor.com Previews (via prior listing) | Highest Risk | Data often persists and reconnects with the MLS listing later. “Days on Redfin” may continue from prior record. | Often does not reset quickly. |