Zip and every other on line listing provider receives thier listings through a service called IDX. IDX is a great business by the way… wish I would’ve thought of it. IDX providers pay local real estate association for a distilled version of thier databases. IDX providers then sell thier distilled databases to places like Zip, Housevalues, even other brokerages. I even use IDX on my website. This has been the primary technology that has empowered consumers to search for homes on line. It really is a very cool thing.

Now, in the actual MLS (at least the SDAR MLS) the following listing classifications are as follows:

active – actively for sale
pending – in escrow. (note you can be in escrow and still be active but that applies only if there is a sales contingency in place)
sold – sold
withdrawn – the listing is still under contract but has been withdrawn from active status. (maybe the sellers are rehabbing or taking a break) Note that market time will not increment during this classification.
cancelled – The listing agreement has been cancelled at the request of the seller or broker.
expired – The listing agreement has expired.

Now if you are looking at a site like you mentioned, Zip and the listing is inactive my guess would be it is either withdrawn, cancelled or expired. The distillation of the MLS information doesn’t really allow you to find out. Call an agent who is a member of that association and you can find out.

Also in answer to the above posting, if you have not signed a representation agreement then there is no binding contract in place. There really is not such a term as an “assigned” agent. Either you are represented (through a signed contract) or you are not.

I routinely send people MLS listings without a contract. It is part of the business. Frequently they take those listings and work with other people and that kind of sucks but it is part of the job. Thats the way it goes!