The Smartest Way to Sell Your Home: Why a Phased Marketing Strategy Gets You More Money, More Control, and Better Terms
If you’re considering selling your home, you deserve a strategy that doesn’t just list your property—it positions it to sell under the best possible terms. Our 3-Phased Marketing Strategy is designed to do exactly that.
This approach is used by top-tier real estate developers to quietly sell hundreds of thousands of homes each year—often at stronger prices—before those homes ever hit Zillow or the MLS. Why? Because strategic exposure creates leverage. Public exposure, done too early or without preparation, can backfire.
Here’s how we do it:
PHASE 1: Private Exclusive — Maximize Buyer Interest Without Risk
We start your listing as a Private Exclusive, available only within Compass to 33,000+ top agents and their millions of buyers. This phase gives us the opportunity to:
- Test your price quietly without accumulating Days on Market (DOM).
- Avoid public price drops that can permanently damage perceived value.
- Retain full control over your photos, contact info, and buyer engagement.
- Know exactly who’s looking, thanks to Compass’s proprietary Reverse Prospecting.
Unlike public platforms, all buyer inquiries go directly to us — the listing agent — ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
PHASE 2: Compass Coming Soon — Build Buzz Before Launch
Next, we introduce your property as a Compass Coming Soon listing. This creates urgency and signals competition—without going fully live on the MLS.
- You get digital and print advertising, targeted social media, and open house buzz — all while still protecting your DOM.
- Your listing is also published on DebraDobbs.com — one of Chicago’s most authoritative real estate websites — and benefits from our in-house SEO expertise, custom Google Ads campaigns, and premium marketing features that extend and enhance Compass’s marketing reach.
- Compass.com prioritizes Coming Soon listings in search results — for both agents and consumers.
- Your Google search ranking benefits because your listing hits the internet first.
- Non-Compass agents with search alerts are now notified.
This phase gives us the runway to prep the market, test the message, and attract attention—without burning your listing.
PHASE 3: Full Launch on MLS & Public Portals — When We’re Ready
Only after interest is high and messaging is dialed in do we go live on the MLS, Zillow, and other portals. By this time, the listing is sharp, the market is primed, and we’re in a strong position to command top dollar.
- Now is when we invite the full market in — armed with data and leverage.
- Your listing has momentum, looks fresh, and hasn’t suffered the hit of excessive Days on Market.
- We’re positioned for a fast, strong sale — on your terms.
WHY THIS WORKS
Buyers pay attention to how long a listing has been on the market and whether there’s been a price drop. The traditional method—putting a home directly on the MLS—exposes you to judgment before you’ve had the chance to optimize.
This phased approach gives you the power to test, refine, and control the narrative—without risking your home’s perceived value. At The Dobbs Group, in partnership with Compass, we don’t just list properties — we strategically position them for success. With decades of experience, we’re fierce advocates for our sellers. Every step we take is designed to protect your interests, amplify your home’s market presence, and ensure you sell under the best possible terms. Our role is not just to guide, but to guard — and we take that responsibility seriously.
Thinking about selling?
Let’s talk about how this strategy can work for your home!
