Unlisted: Connecting Homeowners with Buyers Before Listing - TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Unlisted Homes: Connecting Buyers and Sellers Before Listings Appear

Katie Hill envisioned a future where she could secure her dream home before it even hit the market. This personal aspiration sparked the creation of Unlisted Homes, a startup that recently achieved recognition as a Top 20 Startup Battlefield finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

The Inspiration Behind Unlisted

Hill, a seasoned entrepreneur, described her ideal retirement: “I’ve always pictured myself as an older woman, adorned with a hat and sunglasses, enjoying a martini poolside.” As her children mature and gain independence, a neighboring property presents an appealing downsizing opportunity, primarily due to its existing pool.

She recounted a spontaneous conversation with her neighbor: “I casually mentioned my interest in purchasing his house should he ever decide to sell, a rather direct approach, admittedly.” To her surprise, her neighbor responded with enthusiasm, revealing he was already contemplating retirement.

This interaction led to an agreement granting Hill the right of first refusal when the property is eventually listed. This experience highlighted a gap in the market and prompted her to consider how many others shared a similar desire.

How Unlisted Works

Unlisted functions similarly to Zillow, but focuses on properties that haven’t yet been publicly listed for sale. Initially a web-based platform, the company has now expanded with the launch of an iOS application.

Utilizing data from public records encompassing 121 million homes, Unlisted generates detailed “profiles” for each property. These profiles contain the same types of information found on traditional real estate listing websites.

Buyers interested in a specific home can join a waitlist, signaling their intent to purchase. This action alerts the homeowner, encouraging them to revisit the platform.

Homeowners can then update their property’s information, provide additional details, and engage directly with potential buyers on the waitlist.

The Business Model

Unlisted does not intend to directly handle real estate transactions, recognizing the established infrastructure already in place for such processes. Instead, the company plans to generate revenue through sponsorships.

Real estate agents will be able to purchase sponsorships for individual ZIP codes, linking their contact information to all properties within that area as a local expert. The company also aims to connect homeowners with relevant local service providers, such as roofers and electricians.

“Our vision is to become a nationwide platform, but we understand that real estate is fundamentally local,” Hill explained. “We want to facilitate connections between people and those local resources.”

Early Traction and Future Growth

Since launching the waitlist feature in June, Unlisted has accumulated waitlists for 5,700 homes, representing approximately $4 billion in potential real estate value.

Mentorship and Funding

Hill credits mentorship as a crucial factor in the company’s success. Inspired by Kayak co-founder Paul English’s story, she reached out with a pitch deck.

English connected her with Bill O’Donnell, Kayak’s former chief architect, who became an angel investor and joined Unlisted’s board. O’Donnell’s experience, including taking Kayak public and private, has proven invaluable.

Founded in 2022, Unlisted initially operated as a side project for Hill and one other engineer. She subsequently transitioned to full-time leadership, securing nearly $1 million in angel funding. In November, the company raised an additional $2.25 million led by HearstLab, a fund focused on early-stage companies founded by women.

For those interested in learning more about Unlisted and exploring other innovative pitches, attending this year’s Disrupt event in San Francisco is recommended.

Update, 11/3/25, 11 AM ET: Unlisted utilized 121 million public home records to construct its property profiles.