(Updated Dec. 29, 2025)
If you’ve been shopping for homes on sites like Zillow you may have noticed previously listed homes suddenly going “off market”. Does this mean they’re no longer available? Maybe, maybe not. A closer look at our MLS database often reveals a status switch from “Active” to “Temporarily Not Available for Showing” or TNAFS. Since most third party sites like Zillow currently do not display homes with TNAFS status, this change can be confusing for home shoppers. So what does TNAFS mean?
Listings shown as “off market” on third party sites may still be available. Check with a Realtor to learn more.
Temporarily Not Available for Showing (TNAFS)
According to the rules of our regional MLS, when an active listing is unavailable for showing appointments for more than 24 hours the listing should be switched to TNAFS. Though the switch could happen for any number of reasons — a repair, paint job, etc. — a common reason this time of year is holiday activity. A seller may be entertaining house guests and prefer not to vacate for showings. Or they might be traveling and prefer not to have showings while their home is unattended. It does not mean they don’t want to sell.
Winter market in Minnesota
Cold weather and holidays also reduce buyer activity as priorities shift. Some sellers would rather wait out the slow weeks by pausing showings, then go back on after the holidays. TNAFS status stops the clock from counting days on market so a listing appears newer when it’s reactivated, potentially benefiting sellers.
Under Contract
Some sellers may choose to stop showing availability after accepting an offer. In this case, the listing is still displayed as “off-market” on third party sites, however, our regional MLS will reveal contingency details. For example, it could be “TNAFS,i” meaning the home is under contract but contingent on inspection results.
Regional MLS display of a listing under contract with an inspection contingency and unavailable for showings (TNAFS).
An MLS status look-up is a quick first step in getting up-to-date info on a home. If additional listing notes don’t shed light, a call to the seller’s agent usually solves the mystery.
If you are shopping online and curious about a home feel free to reach out!
Heidi Swanson is a Realtor® based in St. Paul, Minnesota. She writes a blog to share information on variety of topics including buying, selling, market conditions, homeownership trends, local events and more. Reach her at heidi@lyndenrealty.com or 651-503-1540.
This content was created by a human writer and has not been generated or assisted by AI tools.
Image by Iqbal Nuril Anwar from Pixabay