Your Home Could Sit 17+ Days Longer This Year and What You Can Do About It

In today's shifting market, the average home is taking significantly longer to sell. That means fewer competing offers, more price negotiations, and thousands of dollars left on the table.

If you're planning to sell your house, you're probably asking: "How quickly can I get an offer—and at the price I want?"

The answer depends on one critical metric: Days on Market (DOM)—the time your house spends listed before going under contract. For sellers, a low DOM means higher demand, more competitive offers, and a better final price. But a high DOM? That's when buyers start wondering what's wrong with your home.

We've analyzed recent sales data across the DC metro area, and the numbers reveal an important trend every seller needs to understand before listing their home.

The Market Is Shifting: What Our Data Shows

The table below compares median Days on Market from November 2024 to November 2025. The median means half the homes sold faster than this number, and half took longer. The results are clear: homes are sitting longer across every area we track.

What This Means for Your Home Sale

Across all six areas, homes are taking longer to sell in 2025. The Maryland counties saw the most dramatic increases—Prince George's County homes needed 17 additional days to go under contract compared to the previous year.

But here's the good news: homes that are priced correctly and presented professionally are still selling quickly, even in this market. The difference comes down to strategy.

3 Proven Strategies to Sell Fast (Even When the Market Slows)

You can't control market conditions, but you can control how you position your home. Sellers who follow these three principles consistently outperform the market averages and sell faster with better terms.

1. Price It Right from Day One

"The first two weeks your home is listed is when you get the most attention from motivated buyers. Price it wrong, and you've wasted your best opportunity."

Why this matters: Serious buyers are actively monitoring new listings. When your home hits the market, it gets maximum visibility. If the price is too high, those motivated buyers will skip right past it—and once they've seen it once, they rarely come back.

How to get pricing right:

• Base your price on SOLD comparables, not asking prices. Your neighbor might be asking $600,000, but if similar homes are selling for $575,000, that's your reality. An experienced agent will provide a detailed comparative market analysis based on actual closed sales.
• Avoid the price drop trap. Buyers can see your listing history. When they notice a price reduction, they assume the original price was inflated and often make lower offers. Starting at the right price prevents this perception problem.
• Consider market momentum. In a slowing market, being slightly below comparables can generate multiple offers and push your final price higher than an inflated listing ever would.

2. Make Your Home Irresistible (Professional Presentation)

Over 90% of buyers start their search online. Your listing photos are your first impression, your curb appeal, and your sales pitch all rolled into one. They need to be perfect.

Non-negotiable presentation essentials:

• Professional photography is mandatory. Dark, phone-quality photos will get your listing scrolled past in seconds. Professional photos with proper lighting and angles can add 5-10% to your final sale price according to industry studies.
• Stage the home strategically. Staging helps buyers emotionally connect with the space and envision their life there. Staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged homes. If your home is vacant, staging the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen is essential. If you're living there, declutter ruthlessly and consider professional staging consultation.
• Handle the details buyers notice. Fresh paint on scuffed walls, clean carpets, manicured landscaping, and updated light fixtures signal that your home has been cared for. These small investments pay outsized returns.
• Create an emotional connection. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves in your home. Remove personal photos, excessive furniture, and anything that makes the space feel like "yours" instead of "theirs."

3. Make Showings Effortless for Buyers

In a slower market with rising DOM, convenience becomes a competitive advantage. If it's difficult to see your house, buyers will simply move on to the next one.

Showing strategies that work:

• Be flexible with showing times. Accept last-minute requests when possible. More showings equal more opportunities for offers. The goal is to get as many qualified buyers through the door as quickly as possible.
• Always leave during showings. Buyers need to speak freely with their agent about the pros and cons of your home. Your presence makes them uncomfortable and prevents honest conversation. Trust your agent to represent your home.
• Keep the home show-ready. Yes, it's inconvenient. But a home that's constantly ready for showings captures buyer interest immediately, while a home that needs 24-hour notice loses opportunities.

The Bottom Line: Speed Equals Money

In real estate, time is quite literally money. The longer your home sits, the more negotiating power shifts to buyers. Homes that sell in the first 14 days typically achieve 99-101% of asking price. After 30 days, that drops to 95-97%.

But with the right strategy—competitive pricing, professional presentation, and maximum accessibility—you can beat the rising DOM trend and sell on your timeline, not the market's.