What Is Closed in Real Estate?

In real estate, a closed listing means the home sale has been completed — the buyer and seller have signed all documents, funds have been transferred, and ownership has officially changed hands. Once marked closed on the MLS, the property appears as sold to the public.

✅ What “Closed” Means on the MLS

When a property is marked Closed in the MLS, the real estate transaction has officially ended. The buyer now owns the home, and the MLS record serves as a verified sale that contributes to market data and pricing trends.

  • All contingencies, inspections, and loan approvals have been satisfied.
  • Funds were transferred and the deed was recorded with the county.
  • The property now shows as “Sold” or “Closed” on Realtor.com, Zillow, and other MLS-syndicated sites.

🔁 Closed vs. Pending

It’s common to confuse “closed” with pending, but the two represent different stages:

  • Pending: The seller has accepted an offer and is waiting for the closing to take place.
  • Closed: The sale has been finalized — ownership officially transferred.

After closing, the MLS listing remains as “Closed” for recordkeeping and appraisal comparisons in future sales.

🏠 What “Closed” Means for FSBO Sellers

For For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers using a flat fee MLS listing, marking your home as “Closed” signals the successful completion of your sale. This step ensures your MLS record accurately reflects market activity and prevents future inquiries from agents.

If your property sold outside the MLS, your listing broker can still update it to “Closed” to maintain a consistent sales history.