Unlisted CEO Katie Hill on Adapting to Changing Consumer Needs
•February 23, 2026
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Why It Matters
Unlisted opens a massive pre‑sale market, giving agents a new revenue stream and homeowners a way to signal intent, ultimately accelerating transactions and reshaping real‑estate data dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- •Unlisted targets homes not yet for sale, creating a pre‑sale market.
- •Platform lets buyers join waitlists, notifying owners of interest.
- •Over 21,000 homes weight‑listed, representing $26 billion in value.
- •Agents purchase zip‑code access, becoming local experts on the platform.
- •Data accuracy relies on homeowner edits and agent verification.
Summary
The Real Trending podcast featured Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted, a technology platform that catalogs every U.S. residential property and allows prospective buyers to express interest in homes that are not yet on the market. Unlike traditional private‑listing services, Unlisted focuses on the “gray” segment—properties owners are not ready to sell but would entertain offers when the time comes.
Since its launch, more than 21,000 homes have been placed on the platform’s “wait list,” representing over $26 billion in potential value. Over 200 properties, worth more than $2 billion, have been claimed or updated by owners, and 60 % of those indicate an imminent move. Agents can purchase exclusive zip‑code access, turning them into designated local experts who can engage owners throughout the pre‑sale phase.
Hill’s inspiration came from a pandemic‑era conversation with a neighbor who wanted to retire, leading her to negotiate a right‑of‑first‑refusal. She likens Unlisted to LinkedIn for real estate—profiles are continuously edited, data is refreshed, and relationships are nurtured long before a listing hits MLS. The platform stays out of the transaction, merely facilitating early dialogue between buyer and seller.
By surfacing latent demand, Unlisted creates a $31 trillion opportunity in the U.S. and forces agents to shift from reactive listing work to proactive relationship management. Accurate, homeowner‑maintained data and AI‑driven search will become critical differentiators, reshaping how brokers capture and convert off‑market interest.
Original Description
In this episode of the RealTrending Podcast, Katie Hill, CEO of Unlisted, discusses the problem she is solving with her platform, which features homes that are not currently for sale. She explains the missed opportunities in the real estate market for homeowners who are considering selling but are not yet ready to list their properties. The conversation delves into the inefficiencies in the current transaction flow, the role of MLS and AI in the industry, and the importance of data management and accuracy. Katie emphasizes the need for real estate professionals to adapt to changing consumer needs and the evolving landscape of home buying.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
Unlisted focuses on homes that are not for sale.
There is a significant market opportunity in the gray space of real estate.
The platform allows buyers to express interest in homes not currently listed, join a waitlist and be contacted when the property comes to market.
Real estate agents play a crucial role in facilitating transactions when homeowners are ready to sell.
AI is not a threat; not adopting it is a risk for agents.
Data management is essential for accurate property listings.
The real estate industry needs to focus on consumer needs.
Unlisted aims to serve homeowners throughout their journey, not just at the point of sale.
The future of real estate will involve changes in search and consumer engagement.
Related to this episode:
Unlisted
Katie Hill Linkedin
The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
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