Unlisted Homes Innovates Real Estate by Connecting Buyers and Sellers Before Listings
Katie Hill, founder of Unlisted Homes and a Top 20 Startup Battlefield finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, envisioned a real estate platform that bridges homeowners and potential buyers before properties officially enter the market. Inspired by a personal experience with her neighbor, Hill’s startup aims to reshape the home buying and selling process by facilitating early interest and communication.
From a Neighborhood Conversation to a Startup Vision
Hill’s inspiration came from a casual conversation with her neighbor about his possible retirement and selling plans. Though neither party was actively buying or selling at the time, their dialogue led to an agreement granting Hill a right of first refusal when the home eventually goes on the market. This early connection sparked the idea to create a platform that allows others to establish similar relationships before public listings appear.
“I felt a sense of relief that I was going to hear from him before I drove home from the grocery store and saw a sign in the front yard and had to scramble,” said Hill. “How many other people up and down the block are thinking the same thing?”
Unlisted Homes functions like a Zillow for unlisted properties, using public records to create profiles for approximately 21 million homes across the U.S. Buyers can add themselves to a waitlist for any home they admire, signaling interest directly to homeowners. This system notifies sellers about buyer demand, encouraging early engagement and potentially smoothing the path to a sale. The platform recently expanded with the launch of an iOS app, enhancing accessibility and user experience for both buyers and sellers. Homeowners can update their property details and communicate with interested buyers through the app or website.
“We put a waitlist on every single property profile, so buyers can express interest, and we notify homeowners to drive them back to the site,” Hill explained.
Monetization and Future Plans
Unlisted does not facilitate transactions directly but leverages sponsorships sold to real estate agents by ZIP code. These agents are featured as local experts linked to every home in their area. The company also plans to broaden its offerings by connecting homeowners with trusted local service providers such as roofers and electricians. Hill emphasized the local nature of real estate despite the platform’s national ambitions, aiming to support communities with relevant resources and expertise.
Growth, Mentorship, and Investment
Since introducing the waitlist feature in June, Unlisted has generated interest in 5,700 homes, representing roughly $4 billion in potential real estate transactions. The company’s growth has been supported by strategic mentorship and funding rounds, including nearly $1 million from angel investors and a $2.25 million round led by HearstLab. Hill credits mentorship from Kayak co-founder Paul English and former chief architect Bill O’Donnell for critical guidance and investment, leveraging their extensive experience in scaling tech ventures.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Unlisted Homes introduces a compelling innovation in real estate by addressing a gap between buyer interest and property availability. By enabling early buyer-seller engagement, it may reduce the scramble and uncertainty typical of traditional home sales.
- Opportunities: Early market intelligence for buyers and sellers; potential to streamline transactions; monetization via agent sponsorships and ancillary local services.
- Risks: Reliance on homeowner participation; competition from established real estate platforms; challenges in scaling local service integrations nationally.
Impact: Unlisted Homes has the potential to disrupt traditional real estate dynamics by fostering proactive communication and reducing market friction, positioning it for significant influence in residential property transactions.
