When Kirk Cousins returned to Minnesota this season as the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, he also shared a glimpse into how he handled the sale of his previous home. The 38‑year‑old quarterback said he sold the house while he was with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 through a neighbor who connected him with a buyer, avoiding any public listing.
Why an off‑market sale mattered
Luxury real‑estate specialist Margit Brandt, who leads a Palm Beach, Florida brokerage that has moved roughly $1 billion in homes this year, explained that selling off‑market offers several advantages, especially for public figures. “Privacy and discretion are key,” Brandt told OutKick. “When you list a property publicly, the press picks it up, photos appear on Zillow, and every room of your home becomes visible to strangers. For someone like Kirk Cousins, keeping his address and interior spaces out of the public eye is appealing.”
Brandt added that her team maintains a private portfolio of off‑market properties and leverages strong broker relationships to match buyers with sellers quickly. “We know who’s looking at what price point, who’s serious and who isn’t,” she said, noting that about one‑third of her firm’s sales this year have been completed off‑market.
Safety and family considerations
The quarterback’s focus on privacy aligns with his family’s current situation. After his introductory press conference with the Vikings, Cousins said his wife Julie and their sons are staying in a hotel while she searches for a new home in the Twin Cities. “We want to find a place that feels safe and private for our family,” Cousins said.
Brandt emphasized that safety is a common concern for high‑profile clients. “People don’t want strangers to know where they live,” she explained. “An off‑market sale reduces that risk and protects the family’s everyday life.”
How the process works
According to Brandt, the off‑market approach begins with a client’s request. Her team then taps into a network of trusted brokers and investors who may have immediate interest. “We have a private list of qualified buyers,” she said. “When a seller wants discretion, we can match them quickly without the noise of a public listing.”
She noted that the Palm Beach market, where her firm holds roughly 30 % share, provides a clear view of buyer activity, allowing her to act swiftly. “It gives us a bird’s‑eye view of what’s happening,” Brandt said, adding that the method can be especially useful for athletes, entertainers and other public figures who value confidentiality.
Looking ahead
Cousins expressed confidence that his family will find a suitable home soon. “We’ve learned that there is a person for every house,” Brandt said, echoing the quarterback’s optimism about the home‑search process.
While the Vikings’ on‑field performance will dominate headlines this season, Cousins’ off‑field decisions illustrate how professional athletes navigate personal matters in the public eye, balancing career moves with family privacy.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
