What is Days on Market?
Days on market (DOM) measures the number of days between when a property is listed for sale on the MLS and when it goes under contract (or is withdrawn/expired). DOM is a key indicator of both individual property desirability and overall market health. Low DOM signals strong demand; high DOM signals the property or its pricing needs adjustment.
What DOM tells you about a property
Low DOM (under 14 days): Property is well-priced or underpriced. Strong buyer interest. In a hot market, this is normal.
Average DOM (14-60 days): Normal market conditions. Property is reasonably priced.
High DOM (60+ days): Possible issues — overpriced, poor condition, bad location, or weak market. These properties represent opportunities for investors because the seller may be willing to negotiate significantly.
DOM vs CDOM
Some MLSs track CDOM (cumulative days on market) which includes time from previous listings. If a property was listed for 90 days, withdrawn, and relisted, the new DOM resets to 0 but CDOM shows 90+. CDOM prevents sellers from gaming the system by withdrawing and relisting to reset their days on market.
DOM for market analysis
Average DOM for a market tells you how fast properties are selling overall. Combined with absorption rate and months of inventory, DOM paints a complete picture of market conditions. Compare DOM across property types and price ranges — luxury homes always have higher DOM than starter homes.
For wholesalers
When running comps, pay attention to DOM for your comparable sales. If similar properties are selling in 10 days, your deal should move quickly. If comps took 90+ days to sell, budget for a longer disposition timeline and adjust your pricing. High-DOM comps also suggest the market may not support the ARV you are projecting.