A survey of 50 real estate investors found that 40% had purchased their most recent property off-market, compared to 60% purchasing on the multiple listing service (MLS). This was a surprisingly high percentage of off-market purchases, as the surveyors had expected a lower range of 15-25% off-market. Real estate investors tend to seek fixer-upper properties suited for renovations, which are more commonly available off-market. The current low housing inventory and mortgage rates are thought to be pushing more buyers to search off-market where competition is lower and prices may be more attractive. Some sellers also prefer to avoid listing on the MLS due to health concerns during the pandemic or not wanting extensive showings and open houses

1. 40% Of Real Estate Investors Surveyed
Bought Their Last Property Off-Market
Published: November 18, 2020
Your last single family or multi-family purchase:
We surveyed 50 real estate investors to find out where they sourced their last deal. Here are the
results:
● MLS: 30 (60%)
● Off-market: 20 (40%)
Surprisingly high percentage of off-market
transactions
When surveying real estate investors, we expected to see in the range of 15% - 25% of
purchases off-market. We were not expecting it to be a 60/40 split. Real estate investors are
more disciplined in "running the numbers" and the numbers off-market are currently more
attractive as we will discuss in more detail below. What's more, real estate investors tend to be
more inclined to purchase fixer uppers and take on complete gut rehabs -- these types of deals
are more commonly off-market.
While this is only speculation at this point because follow-up interviews have not been
conducted, we believe the current environment of record low housing inventory and record low
mortgage rates has forced real estate investors and savvy home buyers to look off-market
where competition is lower and prices are more attractive.
We also believe an increasing proportion of sellers want to avoid the hassle, health concerns
and expensive fees of listing on the MLS and multiple showings and open houses. Much of this
attitude among sellers has been brought on by pandemic and the fact that families are all at
home, working from home with children remote learning.

2. Where did you buy your last property?
Browse off-market deals
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