Is it bad if my home sits on the market too long?
Is your house sitting on the market too long and eating your profit? Read this now — timing and market strategy matter more than you think.
Why a long listing hurts your sale
When a property sits, buyers notice. “Days on market” turns into a red flag. Buyers assume something is wrong — price, condition, or legal issues — and they lower offers or skip your listing. In many markets, showings and offers drop sharply after 30–60 days. That means more time, more cost, and often a lower final price.
Key consequences:
- Reduced buyer urgency and fewer offers
- Perceived need for price cuts
- Marketing momentum fades (search algorithms and agent attention shift to new listings)
- Higher carrying costs for the seller (mortgage, taxes, utilities)
Fast fixes that reverse the trend
If your home is stuck, treat it like a relaunch. Do these first:
- Price like the market, not like your hopes. Overpricing kills interest. Price within the active comparables and you’ll trigger more showings.
- Improve perceived value quickly: declutter, deep-clean, neutral paint, and stage key rooms.
- Refresh photos and the online description. First impressions are made in 7 seconds online.
- Re-launch the marketing: targeted social ads, open houses, broker outreach, and new listing syndication.
- Cut friction: flexible showings, quick responses, pre-inspections.
These moves create urgency and restore buyer confidence.
Pricing and timing strategy that wins
Successful market strategy blends data with action. Monitor these indicators:
- Days on market vs. local average
- Price-to-list ratio (offers vs. asking price)
- Inventory levels and days-to-contract in your neighborhood
If your home lags behind local averages, act fast. Either adjust price, boost marketing, or change the terms (closing date, inclusions). Waiting to “see what happens” costs you more.
When sitting longer can make sense
There are scenarios where waiting is strategic:
- You’re timing a move and can afford the cost
- You expect a strong seasonal or local market shift
- You’re targeting a very specific buyer (rare properties)
Even then, keep the listing sharp and the strategy active. Don’t let it go stale.
Why professional market strategy matters
Generic listings fail. You need an agent who reads data, calibrates price, and executes a relaunch plan. Tony Sousa combines local market intel, aggressive marketing, and practical staging to reduce days on market and protect price. That’s the difference between selling fast at market value and watching offers drift downward.
If your listing is aging, don’t wait. Get a clear relaunch plan, or you’ll pay for indecision.
Contact Tony Sousa for a no-nonsense market assessment: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
