Active Listing

In depth

Active listings are available for offers and showings. Once an offer is accepted, the status typically changes to pending or contingent. Misconception: active does not mean perfectly available; properties may be active with kick-out clauses, contingent on the seller finding replacement housing, or otherwise restricted. Practically, FSBO sellers should monitor active listings in their area as competition. The number of active listings divided by monthly sales gives months of inventory, a key market health metric. Below 4 months indicates a seller's market; above 6 months indicates a buyer's market. Buyers should focus search efforts on active listings while keeping a watch list of pendings that may fall through. Status accuracy is critical; agents face MLS fines for inaccurate status updates.