Listing Status Guide

Understanding listing statuses ensures accuracy in MLS reporting, legal compliance, and a smooth experience for both buyers and sellers. This guide outlines the available NorthstarMLS statuses, how each one is defined, when to use them, and how they affect Days on Market. Proper use of statuses helps maintain data integrity and transparency and improves search results across platforms. 

All status changes must be entered within two business days (excluding weekends and state or federal holidays) of the change to ensure compliance and timely updates. Documentation of changes must be retained by the Participant and made available to the Service upon request. Additional information can be found in the Rules and Regulations Policy Manual. 

Status Definitions

Active
The property is available for showings and the seller is accepting offers. No purchase agreement—contingent or otherwise—is currently in effect. If an offer is accepted with a contingency, it must be reflected in the Contingency field. Days on Market accrues in this status.
If a listing is unavailable for showings for more than 24 hours, the status should be changed to “Temporarily Not Available for Showing” (TNAS) until showings can resume.

Cancelled
The listing agreement has been terminated. The seller and listing broker must both sign a cancellation agreement. Once cancelled, the seller may relist, sell directly, or remove the property from the market. Cancellation terminates the broker’s listing rights as of the effective date, except for prospects specified in writing per the original listing agreement.

Closed
The sale has been finalized and the title has transferred to the new owner.

Coming Soon
The property is being prepared for market and is not available for showings. This status is allowed only for new listings and is limited to 21 days from listing entry. A signed Coming Soon Listing Authorization Form is required. In Coming Soon status, Days on Market does not accrue and the property may not be shown. 

Comp Sold
The property was sold and closed without an active listing agreement. A buyer-signed Listing Input Form is required.

Incomplete
The listing has been drafted but is missing required data or has not been published. This status is typically used while filling out listing details before going on market.

Pending
A purchase agreement has been signed and accepted by both parties. The seller has instructed the listing broker to stop scheduling showings. Days on Market does not accrue in this status, as the property has been withdrawn from the market.

Rented
The rental agreement has been signed and accepted. The listing may display as “Closed” in Matrix, Flexmls, and Paragon.

Temporarily Not Available for Showing (TNAS)
The listing contract remains in effect, but the property is not available for showings for more than 24 hours. Days on Market does not accrue in this status and no marketing is permitted. This status helps prevent scheduling conflicts and confusion when a property is temporarily off the market (e.g., under renovation or the seller is away). The listing broker’s rights remain intact; the property cannot be relisted or sold by another broker without honoring the existing agreement. 

Withheld
The property is under a valid listing agreement, but the seller has opted not to make the listing visible to NorthstarMLS members or the public. A signed Withheld Form is required. If a listing agreement extension is signed, the listing’s expiration date must be extended or the listing will be deleted upon expiration and cannot be retrieved. No public marketing is allowed on Withheld listings.