Homes With High Days on Market: Buyer Opportunity or Seller Warning?

Why these overlooked homes may deserve another look...

   Most buyers watch the newest listings first. That makes sense—but it may also cause them to overlook homes with longer days on market, commonly called DOM.

A high-DOM home is not automatically a bad home. Sometimes it signals a problem. Other times, it may represent an opportunity that deserves another look.

What could a high-DOM home offer a buyer?

A property with longer market time may offer:

• Less competition from other buyers

• More time to investigate the property

• Greater negotiating flexibility

• A possible price reduction

• Seller-paid closing costs or repair credits

• More flexibility with the closing date or other terms

None of these benefits are guaranteed. High DOM simply gives the buyer a reason to ask better questions.

What are the possible risks?

A home may have been sitting because of:

• An unrealistic asking price

• Condition or maintenance problems

• Insurance, financing, appraisal, or inspection concerns

• Poor photographs or weak marketing

• Limited showing availability

• An undesirable location or property feature

• Previous contracts that did not close

• A seller who is not ready to adjust the price or terms

Days on market should be treated as a clue—not a final conclusion.

How can a buyer pursue a better price without offending the seller?

A lower offer does not have to be insulting. It should be supported by facts and presented respectfully.

A buyer can strengthen the offer by:

• Using comparable sales to support the proposed price

• Providing a strong lender preapproval or proof of funds

• Offering reasonable earnest money

• Keeping unnecessary demands out of the contract

• Providing flexibility with the closing date

• Requesting repairs or credits based on documented concerns

• Allowing the buyer’s agent to explain the reasoning professionally

The goal is not to tell the seller what the home is “really worth.” The goal is to present a clear offer that the seller can seriously consider.

Price is important, but certainty, timing, financing, and contract terms may also matter to the seller.

What can a seller do to avoid excessive market time?

A seller can improve the chances of a successful launch by:

• Pricing the home according to current market evidence

• Completing important repairs before listing

• Cleaning, decluttering, and preparing the property

• Using professional photography and accurate marketing

• Making the home reasonably available for showings

• Reviewing showing feedback without taking it personally

• Responding quickly when the market signals that something needs to change

• Considering price, condition, presentation, and terms together

The first days on the market often receive the most attention. If buyers repeatedly view the property but do not make offers, the seller and listing agent should examine why.

What could the listing agent have done differently?

Sometimes an agent could have recommended:

• A more realistic starting price

• Better preparation before the property went live

• Improved photographs or listing information

• Easier showing access

• Faster follow-up on buyer feedback

• A meaningful price adjustment

• Different incentives or contract terms

• A new marketing strategy

However, buyers should not automatically assume that a high-DOM listing means the agent failed.

Does the listing agent always control the outcome?No.

A listing agent can research, advise, market, communicate, and negotiate—but the seller makes many of the final decisions.

The seller may decline recommended repairs, reject a price adjustment, restrict showings, refuse certain terms, or have personal and financial needs that affect the sale.

The buyer may never know the complete story.

Seller motivation and negotiating limits may be confidential. At the same time, property-condition disclosures and other legal duties must be handled according to applicable law. Those are not necessarily the same thing.

That is why a buyer should investigate the property without making assumptions about the seller or the listing agent.

Mo's bottom line...

A home with high days on market may be overpriced, problematic, overlooked—or simply waiting for the right buyer.

You may decide none of these homes are right for you.

But would it be a bad idea to look before ruling them out?

VIEW HOMES WITH LONGER DOM
View the overlooked hot-list of homes on my website.

Send me the address,and I’ll help you investigate the property history, pricing, and questions worth asking.

Important Notice: This article provides general real estate information and professional observations for educational purposes. It is not legal, tax, financial, lending, appraisal, inspection, or investment advice. Market conditions, listing visibility, platform features, and individual circumstances vary. Buyers and sellers should verify property-specific information and consult the appropriate licensed professionals before making decisions.