Unlisted connects homeowners with prospective buyers before they even put their homes up for sale and is part of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

A Neighborly Chat Sparks Real Estate Innovation

I love stories where a simple backyard conversation turns into a game-changing business idea. That's exactly what happened to Katie Hill, the entrepreneur behind Unlisted Homes. Dreaming of her future retirement by a pool, she casually told her neighbor she'd love first dibs on his smaller home across the street. To her surprise, he was considering selling as he neared retirement. That lightbulb moment? What if there was a way for potential buyers and sellers to connect before a property hits the market, avoiding the scramble of traditional listings?

Unlisted Homes: Zillow for the 'Not Quite Ready' Houses

Hill's startup, a Top 20 finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, flips the real estate script. Drawing from public records on 121 million U.S. homes, Unlisted creates detailed profiles for every property—think comparable info to any listings site, but for homes still off-market. Buyers can join a waitlist to express interest, and homeowners get notified, sparking early conversations. No direct transactions here; instead, it empowers people to plan ahead without the pressure of a for-sale sign popping up overnight.

The platform's already buzzing: Since launching waitlists in June, they've racked up 5,700 interested homes, representing about $4 billion in potential deals. Hill's smart monetization? Sponsorships from local real estate pros, with plans to link homeowners to services like roofers or lenders. It's all about building community and connections in a hyper-local market.

What stands out to me is Hill's grit—she bootstrapped this on nights and weekends, landed mentorship from Kayak's co-founder, and secured $3.25 million in funding, including from HearstLab for women-led ventures. It's a reminder that bold ideas, paired with persistence, can disrupt even the stickiest industries like real estate.

Curious how one chat could redefine home hunting? Dive into the full story on TechCrunch to get inspired.