LA Brokers Find Rentals for Fire Victims in Pocket Listings

It’s not just about location. It’s about who you know.

In the aftermath of the massive Los Angeles area wildfires that torched at least 12,000 structures, real estate agents are placing refugees in homes through pocket listings, also known as “whisper listings,” Mansion Global and the New York Times reported.

That’s when brokers whisper into their client’s ears about access to unlisted properties.

And Los Angeles agents are now reaching out to potential sellers hoping to secure a listing without having to put it on the market.

Maria Perez, who specializes in finding off-market properties around L.A., said finding homeowners who would consider short-term rental options has been essential.

“People often don’t realize that there are many unlisted rental properties available, especially in private homes and multifamily units,” she told the Times. “We’ve been using our networks to help people find these hidden gems that are perfect for those looking for temporary or long-term housing.”

On the Top Agent Network, a private platform restricted to top performing agents, members have compiled a list of more exclusive properties, said Lea Porter, an agent with Beverly Hills Estates.

“It’s a place for us to post information of different houses that are not necessarily in the MLS,” Porter told the Times.

Josh Flagg, the broker who stars in “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” said the conversation with prospective owners is “very simple.”

“For the amount of time that you spend in L.A., you can go stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel” and rent out the house to someone who needs it, he tells them.

The effort is paying off, according to Mansion Global, although the number of pocket listings was not disclosed and likely unavailable.

Tireless agents are working the phones, reaching out to former clients to find any spare house or condo available — or even offering up their own guesthouses and spare rooms.

“We utilized our robust network to build an internal repository of ‘off-market’ inventory,” Parker Beatty, Compass regional vice president of Southern California and Hawaii, said in an email statement to the Times.

“By uniting all our resources, we have been able to respond swiftly and effectively to address the urgent needs of those affected.”

— Dana Bartholomew