Thinking about listing your Northfield home this spring? You have probably heard agents talk about Bright MLS “Coming Soon” and wondered if it can help your sale. The idea sounds simple: preview your home before it is fully on the market so you can prepare and build interest. In this guide, you will learn what Coming Soon means in Bright MLS, what you can and cannot do, how timing affects days on market, and how to decide if it fits your goals. Let’s dive in.
What “Coming Soon” means in Bright MLS
“Coming Soon” is an MLS status used to advertise a home that is not yet active or available for public showings. Sellers often use it to buy time for professional photos, light repairs, staging, and a well-coordinated launch once all marketing pieces are ready.
The intent is to give you a clean, polished debut to the market. While your listing sits in Coming Soon, buyers can learn that the home is on the way, but actual showings typically do not happen until the status changes to Active. Written seller authorization is usually required for an agent to place a property in Coming Soon.
What you can and cannot do
While your property is in Coming Soon, there are typical limits on showings and advertising. Bright MLS publishes the authoritative rules, and local associations can add requirements. Your agent should confirm the current policy in writing before you choose this path.
Typically allowed during Coming Soon
- Preparation activities like professional photography, staging, cleaning, and minor repairs.
- Internal, agent-to-agent communication to coordinate an upcoming launch.
- Planning your pricing, open house schedule, and marketing calendar so you hit the market with momentum.
Typically restricted during Coming Soon
- Public showings, open houses, and lockboxes visible for general access.
- Broad consumer advertising, such as social media posts aimed at the public, general for-sale signage, or open house announcements.
- Public portal exposure that makes the listing look Active to buyers. Visibility varies by market and platform, so confirm whether consumer sites will display your Coming Soon listing.
Your agent should guide you on what is permitted locally and ensure you sign the proper authorization before any Coming Soon activity begins.
Timing, Days on Market, and visibility
How you time your Coming Soon period can influence buyer interest and perceived time on market.
- Days on Market (DOM): In many MLS systems, DOM does not start counting until the listing is marked Active. Bright MLS uses its own rules for DOM and cumulative days, so have your agent explain how Bright tracks your listing from Coming Soon to Active.
- Maximum Coming Soon period: Many MLSs limit how long a property can stay in Coming Soon. Expect a short, fixed window before you must go Active or withdraw, and ask your agent to confirm Bright’s current limit.
- Consumer portal visibility: Some markets do not syndicate Coming Soon listings to public sites. If buyers in Northfield do not typically see Coming Soon on major portals, you may get less early consumer attention and should plan a strong Active launch.
The key is to use Coming Soon long enough to prepare well, but not so long that you miss the new-listing buzz once you flip to Active.
Pros and cons for Northfield sellers
Coming Soon can be an advantage when used intentionally. It can also backfire if misused or overextended.
Potential benefits
- Time to prepare: You can complete staging, touch-ups, and photos so your home debuts in its best light.
- Controlled launch: A coordinated timeline can create a strong first week with stacked showings and a well-attended open house right after going Active.
- Pricing confidence: Your agent can study fresh comps and refine pricing before the public debut.
Potential tradeoffs
- Reduced exposure: If consumer sites do not display Coming Soon in your area, buyers may not see your listing until Active.
- Momentum risk: Too much pre-market time can stall interest and hurt the launch. Buyer alerts and search algorithms often favor newly Active listings.
- Compliance risk: Unauthorized showings or public advertising during Coming Soon can trigger MLS discipline and damage trust.
If you need a week or two to prepare, Coming Soon can be helpful. If the market is moving quickly and your home is ready now, going Active immediately may yield faster showings and offers.
How to use Coming Soon wisely
Use Coming Soon as a short runway that sets up a powerful first week on the market. Here is a practical approach tailored for a Northfield spring launch.
A simple pre-market timeline
- Day 1: Authorize Coming Soon with your agent and confirm Bright MLS and local rules in writing.
- Days 2-4: Complete pre-list tasks - staging, decluttering, minor fixes.
- Days 3-5: Schedule professional photography and floor plans. Draft remarks and finalize marketing copy.
- Days 5-6: Review pricing strategy using the latest Northfield comps. Confirm whether any listing fields will display publicly while in Coming Soon.
- Day 7: Activate the listing. Open for showings and launch your full marketing plan, including your first weekend open house if appropriate.
This timeline is only a guide. Your agent will adjust based on your home’s readiness, your move-out plans, and seasonal demand.
Questions to ask your agent
Get clear answers before you choose Coming Soon. Ask your agent to provide the policy language and a written plan.
- Will my Coming Soon listing be visible on public portals, and if not, how will you reach ready buyers?
- How long can we stay in Coming Soon before we must go Active?
- Will photos, price, and remarks be visible during Coming Soon, and will any of that content syndicate to consumer sites?
- When can buyers start showings, and can you host a broker preview?
- How does Bright MLS handle DOM when moving from Coming Soon to Active?
- What is the exact marketing calendar from photos to launch to open house?
- What authorization will I sign to enter Coming Soon, and what does it allow?
Documented answers help set expectations and keep your launch on track.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Overextending Coming Soon: Staying in pre-market too long can reduce urgency. Set a firm activation date.
- Mixed messages online: If a teaser appears publicly and looks like Active, buyers may be confused. Coordinate messaging closely with your agent.
- Premature showings: Allowing private showings during Coming Soon can violate rules. Keep access closed until Active unless your agent confirms a permitted exception.
- Last-minute prep: Rushed photos or staging undercut your first impression. Finish prep before your target launch date.
Is Coming Soon right for your spring listing?
It depends on your timing, your home’s readiness, and current demand in Northfield and nearby Atlantic County towns. If you need a short window to prepare, Coming Soon can help you debut with polish and confidence. If the market is hot and your home is show-ready today, going Active sooner may capture more buyer attention and faster offers.
The bottom line: confirm the rules, set a tight timeline, and launch with clear, consistent marketing on the day you go Active.
Ready to talk through the best path for your Northfield sale this spring? Connect with the local team that blends neighborhood-level expertise with proven marketing. Get your strategy and timing right with The Scott Reighard Team.
FAQs
What is Bright MLS “Coming Soon” for Northfield sellers?
- It is an MLS status that previews your home before it is Active, typically without public showings, so you can prepare photos, staging, pricing, and a coordinated launch.
Are showings allowed while a listing is in Coming Soon?
- Most MLS rules prohibit public showings and open houses during Coming Soon; confirm Bright’s current policy and any local exceptions with your agent.
Does Coming Soon count toward Days on Market in Bright MLS?
- Many systems do not start DOM until Active; ask your agent to explain Bright’s current DOM and cumulative days rules for Coming Soon-to-Active transitions.
Will buyers see my Coming Soon on consumer sites in New Jersey?
- Visibility varies by platform and market; confirm with your agent whether portals commonly display Coming Soon listings for Northfield.
How long can a listing stay in Coming Soon before it must go Active?
- Many MLSs set a short, fixed limit; your agent should confirm the current Bright MLS maximum and any local association addenda.
Can my agent advertise my home on social media during Coming Soon?
- Broad public advertising is often restricted while in Coming Soon; your agent can explain what is permitted under Bright MLS and local board guidance.
Does using Coming Soon help me get a higher price?
- It can help if a short, well-executed runway leads to strong early demand once Active, but poor execution or reduced exposure can hurt momentum and results.
