Ask David: What Listing Statuses Does NorthstarMLS Offer? 

Selling a home is one of the biggest milestones your clients will experience, and your guidance plays a critical role in that journey. NorthstarMLS offers flexible listing options that let you tailor your marketing strategy to meet each client’s unique goals, whether that means prioritizing privacy, maximizing market exposure or carefully managing timing.  

This guide outlines the available options in clear terms, helping you navigate the best path forward for every seller you represent. 

Listing Options 

Listing Option Details 

Withheld (Office Exclusives)  

Privacy while preparing your home 

Keep your listing discreet while you get it ready to shine. This option lets agents market homes within their brokerage and communicate one-to-one. This is perfect for staging, repairs, or maximum privacy:  

• Stays private—only agents, brokers and brokerage staff see the listing 
• Shareable within brokerage or one-to-one communication (NO Showings) with outside agents 
• No public record of Days on Market (DOM) or price changes 
• No showings or open houses are allowed outside of the listing brokerage 

Coming Soon (CSN) 

Build excitement before going live 

Generate buzz before hitting the market. This status allows your listing to be seen by all NorthstarMLS participants and subscribers and shares it to public websites such as Realtor.com and brokerage websites, including Zillow and Homes.com. This creates anticipation while: 

• Being visible to agents and select websites, but with no showings 
• Remaining in CSN status for 21 days with no days on market counted 
• Not accumulating public record of DOM but tracking price changes 
• Not allowing showings or open houses  

Temporarily Not Available for Showing (TNAS) 

Pause without losing momentum 

Need a break for travel or repairs? TNAS keeps your listing visible on the MLS for agents while pausing showings so your home stays in the spotlight without looking stagnant.  The TNAS status: 

• Keeps your listing visible on the MLS (while removing it from websites)  
• Stops showings and open houses temporarily 
• Pauses DOM accrual 

Active (ACT) 

Maximum exposure to buyers 

Go all-in with full market visibility. Your home is open for showings and listed on all major real estate websites, attracting the widest pool of buyers. With ACT status, your listing: 

• Appears on all major real estate websites (Brokerage sites, Homes.com, Realtor.com, etc.) and to all agents  
• Tracks days on market and price changes, visible to buyers  
• Allows for scheduled showings based on your clients’ preferences 

Internet Display Options 

Control how your listing appears online to balance privacy and exposure. Those with editing permissions in Add/Edit can adjust the listing settings: 

• “No” Display Listing on Internet: Your listing stays off all websites for maximum privacy but may receive less buyer exposure as a result. While the listing will be available in the MLS system to MLS subscribers, it cannot be marketed on the internet during this time.  

• “No” Display Address on Internet: Your listing appears online outside of the MLS without revealing the address, offering a balance of visibility and discretion.  

• “No” Allow Auto Valuation: Prevent automated valuation models (AVMs) from displaying an estimated property value alongside the listing on brokerage and third-party websites. 

• “No” Allow Consumer Comment: Prohibits consumer comments on your listing appearing on Virtual Office Websites (VOWs) and IDX/Broker Reciprocity websites. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

The following are common questions agents have about listing statuses and their answers: 

Can I change listing statuses? Yes, agents can change the status of their listings to best fit their clients’ needs. Be sure to discuss with your broker and complete the appropriate paperwork (get signatures) when changing the listing status.  

Does “No” Display to Internet limit the listing’s reach? Yes, it prioritizes privacy but may reduce exposure.  

How long can a listing be in Coming Soon? Listings can be in the Coming Soon status for up to 21 days. Listings can be made Active before the set availability date if the seller requests and proper documentation is obtained. Additionally, if the seller needs more time and requests that the availability date be pushed out, this can also be done with proper documentation and as long as it is within the 21-day period.  

What are days on market (DOM)? This is the duration the home is listed for sale on the MLS market. Different platforms and websites may calculate DOM differently. See the DOM Resource for more details.  

Next Steps 

Now that you’re familiar with the listing options available through NorthstarMLS, use this knowledge to guide your clients with confidence.  

Start by discussing their goals—do they need discretion, want to generate buzz, or are they ready for full market exposure? Match those goals to the right listing status, whether it’s Withheld, Coming Soon, Active or Temporarily Not Available for Showing.  

Remember to revisit and adjust the listing status as circumstances evolve, always with the appropriate documentation in place. By strategically leveraging these tools, you’ll help position each listing for maximum success while meeting your clients’ specific needs. 

Need Help? 

Contact the NorthstarMLS Help Desk at help@northstarmls.com, the Rules and Regulations department at rules@northstarmls.com or call 651-251-3210.