In today’s market, sellers are looking for more than just visibility; they want strategy, control, and results. That’s where Compass Private Exclusives shine. It’s the first phase of Compass’s three-tiered marketing approach and offers a way to quietly pre-market your home while building demand, refining pricing, and protecting privacy.
And yes, it works. (See the case study below for proof.)
A Compass Private Exclusive is an off-market listing shared only within the Compass network. It’s not posted to the MLS, Zillow, or public sites. This private exposure gives sellers the opportunity to:
Test the market without accruing “days on market”
Control who sees their listing
Adjust pricing or presentation based on real feedback
Build interest before going live
Unlike traditional off-market listings, Compass gives sellers access to Reverse Prospecting - a data-powered tool that flips the script.
Instead of waiting passively, agents can:
See which buyers are searching for similar properties
Track internal views and activity within the Compass platform
Reach out directly to other Compass agents working with matching buyers
Use early engagement metrics to guide strategy
This insight helps shape pricing decisions and even anticipate how competitive a property might be before a single public showing.
Here’s a real example of how I used a Compass Private Exclusive to deliver an incredible result for my client in Park Slope Brooklyn:
Initial Price: $1,495,000
Challenge: The price felt high for the area based on comps, but we started quietly as a Private Exclusive to test the market.
Early Interest: A Compass agent reached out during the Private Exclusive phase and brought a serious buyer to tour quickly.
Buyer Hesitation: The buyers were worried about a bidding war. I encouraged them to submit an offer early and provide full financials upfront so I can run it by the co-op board president. They came in strong at $1,500,000, and shared all their financials.
Public Launch: After listing publicly, I generated more showings and received two additional offers.
Negotiation Strategy: With momentum building, I was able to:
Bring the original buyers up to $1,625,000
Their agent even offered to forfeit 0.5% of their commission, which added $8,125 more for my seller
Final Result: The buyers signed the contract. The board gave their formal approval. We closed smoothly, and…
-> The seller was thrilled with a significantly higher price.
-> The buyers were happy to get in the door early, avoid a drawn-out bidding war, and win the home they loved.
Advantage |
Impact |
Privacy |
No public exposure until you’re ready |
Flexibility |
Adjust price, presentation, and timeline without pressure |
Early Buyer Access |
Reach motivated buyers through the Compass network |
Reverse Prospecting |
Data-driven insights to inform pricing and outreach |
Strategic Leverage |
Create urgency and competition when launching publicly |
Better Outcomes |
Maximize sale price and terms, even before MLS listing |
Compass Private Exclusives aren’t about hiding your listing; they’re about launching it smart. This strategy creates space for thoughtful pricing, targeted outreach, and early wins before the rest of the market catches up.
Whether you’re looking for privacy, top-dollar, or a soft launch to gauge market appetite, this is the kind of flexibility and insight every seller deserves.
Thinking of selling? Let’s talk about how this strategy could work for your home.