What Is Days on Market and Why Does It Matter?

by Ryan Rose

Every listing has a number attached to it: days on market, or DOM. It's a simple count of how long your home has been listed. Simple number. Big implications.

What DOM Tells Buyers

Buyers use days on market as a signal. Rightly or wrongly, they make assumptions:

Low DOM (under 14 days): "This is hot. We need to move fast. Maybe offer over asking."

Average DOM (14-45 days): "Normal. Let's make a reasonable offer and see what happens."

High DOM (60+ days): "Something's wrong. Why hasn't anyone bought this? Let's lowball them."

Fair? Not really. Your home might be perfectly fine. But buyer psychology is real. High DOM invites low offers.

The Stigma Effect

Here's the cruel reality. The longer your home sits, the harder it becomes to sell. Buyers assume there's a problem, even if there isn't.

"If this house was good, someone would have bought it by now."

That's what they think. So they either skip your listing entirely or use your desperation against you in negotiations.

The first two weeks are crucial. That's when you get the most attention, the most showings, the most competition. After that, interest fades.

What Drives High DOM

Homes sit for three main reasons:

Price. Overpriced homes don't sell. Period. This is the #1 reason for high DOM.

Condition. Homes that don't show well, need work, or have obvious problems take longer.

Marketing. Bad photos, limited exposure, or weak agent effort means fewer buyers see your home.

Notice a pattern? All fixable. High DOM isn't fate. It's feedback.

What's Normal in Las Vegas?

In late 2025, Las Vegas homes typically sell in 30-60 days. That's normal for a balanced market.

Under 30 days? Your home was priced well or the market loved it.

Over 60 days? Time to reassess. Something needs to change.

Can You Reset DOM?

Technically, yes. Take your home off market for a period (usually 30+ days), then relist. The DOM counter resets.

But buyers and agents aren't stupid. They can see the listing history. They know it's a reboot. It helps a little, but it's not magic.

The better strategy: Price right from the start so you never accumulate high DOM in the first place.

The Lesson

Days on market matters because perception matters. Price competitively, prepare your home well, and market it properly from day one. The first impression is the best opportunity.

Worried about your Las Vegas home sitting too long? Let's talk strategy before you list, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions About Days on Market in Las Vegas

Q1: What does "days on market" mean in real estate?

Days on market (DOM) is the total number of days a home has been actively listed for sale. The counter starts the day the listing goes live and continues until the home goes under contract or is removed from the market.

Q2: What is considered a good days on market in Las Vegas?

In Las Vegas as of late 2025, homes typically sell within 30-60 days in a balanced market. Homes that sell in under 30 days are considered strong performers, while anything over 60 days may signal pricing or marketing issues that need addressing.

Q3: Why do buyers care about days on market?

Buyers use DOM as a psychological signal about a home's desirability. Low DOM suggests high demand and can create urgency, while high DOM makes buyers assume something is wrong with the property, leading them to submit lower offers or skip the listing entirely.

Q4: What causes a home to have high days on market?

The three main reasons homes sit on the market are overpricing, poor condition or presentation, and inadequate marketing. Pricing issues are the most common culprit—homes priced above market value simply don't attract serious buyers.

Q5: Can I reset the days on market counter?

You can reset DOM by taking your home off the market for at least 30 days and then relisting it. However, buyers and agents can still see the listing history, so this strategy provides limited benefit. The better approach is to price correctly from the start.

Q6: How does high DOM affect my negotiating power?

High DOM weakens your negotiating position significantly. Buyers perceive homes with extended market time as "stale" and assume the seller is desperate, which invites lowball offers and gives buyers more leverage in negotiations.

Q7: When is the best time to make changes if my home has high DOM?

The first two weeks are critical for generating interest. If your home hasn't received strong activity within 14-21 days, it's time to reassess immediately. Common changes include price reductions, improving home presentation, or upgrading marketing materials and photos.

Q8: Does days on market affect my home's final sale price?

Yes. Homes with high DOM typically sell for less than comparable properties with lower DOM. The longer a home sits, the more buyers discount it and the lower the offers become. Getting it right from day one maximizes your final sale price.