By Prerna Kapoor, CLHMS | REAL Brokerage | July 7, 2026
A seller I worked with in Castle Rock this spring had her house nearly ready two weeks before she wanted to officially list it. The paint was fresh, the yard had finally greened up, and she wanted buyer’s agents to know something was coming without fielding a flood of showing requests before the photos were even back from the photographer. That’s exactly the situation Coming Soon status was built for, and I’ve had more sellers ask about it this year than in any prior season.
Here’s what it actually does, what it doesn’t do, and what it means if you’re the one watching for it as a buyer.
What “Coming Soon” Actually Means
In REcolorado, the MLS that covers most of the Denver metro area including Parker, Aurora, and Lone Tree, Coming Soon is a distinct listing status a seller’s agent can use before a home goes fully Active. The listing becomes visible on the MLS, and typically on major consumer sites, complete with photos and a description, but showings usually aren’t allowed yet. A Coming Soon listing can stay in that status for up to seven days before REcolorado automatically converts it to Active, and time spent in Coming Soon doesn’t count toward the property’s official Days in MLS.
It exists in part because of the National Association of REALTORS® Clear Cooperation Policy, which generally requires a listing to be submitted to the MLS within one business day of any public marketing, whether that’s a yard sign, a social media post, or a listing on a public website. Coming Soon is the MLS-sanctioned way to build early visibility for a listing without running into that rule.
Why a Seller Might Use It
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The biggest reason I bring it up with sellers is timing. If your professional photos and staging aren’t quite finished, or you’re wrapping up a few last items on your listing prep checklist, Coming Soon lets buyer’s agents know something is on the way without pressuring you to open the doors before you’re actually ready.
It also builds a little anticipation. Buyer’s agents who are actively watching a specific area, say Cherry Creek or Highlands Ranch, will often reach out ahead of the official launch, and that early interest can translate into a stronger first weekend once the listing goes Active.
What Coming Soon Doesn’t Let You Do
This is the part sellers sometimes misunderstand. Showings aren’t permitted while a listing sits in Coming Soon, and you can’t accept or execute a contract during that window either. Since the status automatically converts to Active after seven days, it isn’t a way to quietly test the market for weeks without committing to showings. If a buyer falls in love with the online photos and wants to write an offer immediately, most agents will tell them to wait for Active status.
I’d also caution against treating Coming Soon as a substitute for being ready. If your agent is asking buyers to hold off while repairs or staging are still in progress, that’s usually a sign the timeline needs a few more days, not that Coming Soon is the wrong tool.
What It Means If You’re the Buyer
If you’re house hunting in Douglas County or anywhere else in the metro, Coming Soon listings are worth paying attention to, especially if your agent has MLS alerts set up for you. You’ll typically see the address, photos, and price before most of the general public, which gives you time to research the area, check school boundaries, or drive by before showings even open.
Just don’t expect to schedule a showing the moment it appears. Ask your agent when the listing is expected to go Active, and use that lead time to get your financing fully lined up so you can move quickly once the doors do open.
Quick answers
Can a Colorado home go under contract while it’s still Coming Soon? No. Showings and offers happen once a listing moves to Active. Coming Soon is a pre-marketing window only.
How long can a listing stay in Coming Soon status? In REcolorado, up to seven days, after which it automatically converts to Active.
Does Coming Soon cost a seller anything extra? No. It’s a timing and marketing choice within the standard listing process, not an additional expense.
If you’re weighing whether Coming Soon status makes sense for your timeline, I’m always happy to walk through the tradeoffs before we build your listing plan. No pressure, no pitch.
Prerna Kapoor | REALTOR® | Luxury Home Specialist
REAL Brokerage | 720-949-5450 | info@prernakapoor.com
CLHMS • RENE • PSA • ABR | International Sterling Society Award Winner
Prerna specializes in residential real estate across Parker, Aurora, Lone Tree, Castle Pines,
Highlands Ranch, Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, and Centennial. She speaks English, Japanese,
and Hindi.
