How long a home has been listed for sale, often referred to as days on market, can provide helpful insight about a home listing.
![Home with a "For Sale" sign indicating a new price](/sites/g/files/ynjofi136/files/styles/wide/public/blog_days_on_market_blog.png?itok=Bqjg754l)
Days on Market, defined as the time between when a home is listed for sale and when it’s taken off the market, is a useful metric for sellers. A market with low average days on market, often abbreviated DOM, indicates that there’s strong competition from buyers and homes are being sold quickly. A high average DOM is less desirable for sellers and can indicate that there is low competition.
The longer a home stays on the market, the more likely it will raise a red flag to buyers who will question why it hasn’t sold yet. Often, an individual listing that has been on the market for many days may need to be adjusted to better showcase the property.
Although average days on the market varies by location and even neighborhood, there are things you can do to help make sure your home sells quickly.
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Understand your local housing market
Whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, knowing your local market conditions can help you better understand of buyer demand (or lack thereof) for your home.
In a seller’s market, there is strong demand from homebuyers. The increased competition among homebuyers generally results in fewer days on the market, more offers per listing and even increased sale price of your home.
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Check your price
Setting the right price for your home when it’s first listed for sale can help you reduce days on the market. Once you have a general idea of how much you could sell your home for, the list price should reflect an accurate and realistic value of the home.
Remember, an agent can help you sell your home by listing it at the right price initially based on local market conditions and recent comparable home sales.
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Prepare your home
Make sure your home looks move-in ready for potential buyers. Staging your home or making small updates can have a big impact on the overall appeal of your home — especially for buyers who are viewing it online. Adding a fresh coat of paint or installing new appliances will make your home feel fresher and more modern, helping to attract buyers who might not have considered it otherwise.
Last reviewed: April 17, 2024
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