by Devone Richard
Written by Devone Richard
In early 2026, Compass quietly introduced a new listing option called “Address Upon Request.” While it may seem like a small tweak to how homes are displayed online, this product signals a much bigger shift in how listings, privacy, and agent leverage are evolving in modern real estate.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what this product is, why Compass rolled it out, and what it means for agents, sellers, and the broader real estate industry.
Address Upon Request is a Compass listing feature that allows a property to be marketed without publicly displaying the exact street address.
Instead of seeing the full address on listing portals or search results, buyers are shown limited location details (such as neighborhood or city). To receive the exact address, they must contact the listing agent directly.
This turns the listing itself into a controlled gateway—balancing exposure with privacy.
From a functional standpoint, the process is simple:
This approach has existed informally for years in luxury and off-market deals. Compass has now formalized it as a scalable product, making it accessible across its agent base.
According to industry analyst Mike DelPrete, this move aligns with Compass’s long-standing strategy of observing real-world agent behavior and productizing it at scale.
There are four key drivers behind Address Upon Request:
By removing the address from public view, inquiries are no longer anonymous clicks. Every serious buyer must engage directly with the agent, creating higher-intent conversations and stronger lead ownership.
Not all sellers want their home fully exposed online—especially luxury clients, high-profile owners, or occupied properties. This option gives sellers more control over how and when their home is disclosed.
As listing portals like Zillow continue to standardize listing data, Compass is differentiating by offering alternative marketing paths that emphasize agent value over portal dependency.
This product reflects a broader industry trend: listings are no longer one-size-fits-all. Sellers now expect custom marketing strategies, not just automatic syndication everywhere.
For agents, Address Upon Request reinforces an important reality:
👉 Control equals leverage.
In an environment where buyers are overwhelmed with data and sellers are more privacy-conscious, tools that restore the agent’s role as gatekeeper are becoming more valuable—not less.
This is especially relevant in luxury markets, competitive urban areas, and relationship-driven transactions.
Compass didn’t invent this concept—but by turning it into a formal product, they’re signaling where the industry is headed.
More flexibility.
More agent control.
More intentional exposure.
As we move further into 2026, expect to see more innovation around how listings are presented, who controls access, and how agents differentiate themselves beyond commission splits alone.
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