The first question I hear at every open house is the same: "How long has this been on the market?" This obsession with days on market real estate numbers drives me crazy because it causes buyers to miss incredible homes.
I've helped families in Lafayette for years. Some of the best deals I've seen were properties that sat on the market for what seemed like "too long." This fixation has become one of the biggest home buying misconceptions, and it's time we debunk it.
Why DOM Numbers Mislead You
You spend over a million dollars on a house. You want every signal that you're making a smart choice. Buyers think 45 days on market means something's wrong. That's not how real estate works.
Last month, I had a gorgeous Lafayette property that started at $2.2 million. It sat for 65 days. Every buyer fixated on that number. "What's wrong with it?" they asked. "Why isn't it selling?"
Simple answer: wrong price. The sellers dropped it to $1.895 million. We got $15,000 over the new asking price within a week. Buyers who dismissed it because of days on market real estate statistics missed out completely.
This is Kelly Crawford advice that changes everything: long market time doesn't mean a bad house. It means wrong price, poor presentation, or bad timing.
Current East Bay Housing Trends Explain Extended DOM
East Bay housing trends show buyers are pickier and slower than during the 2020 frenzy. Back then, buying a house was like shooting fish in a barrel. Everything sold immediately. Now buyers have choices and take their time.
We have inventory now. It's high compared to recent years. Lafayette shows the biggest numbers. Orinda has the biggest increase over normal. Properties stay on market longer because buyers can be selective, not because they're flawed.
In 2020, great houses sold regardless of condition or price. Now, great houses priced properly still sell quickly for over asking. Average properties take longer. The market returned to normal behavior patterns.
Understanding these East Bay housing trends helps you recognize that extended market time reflects normal market function, not property problems.
The Re-listing Strategy That Resets DOM
Most buyers don't know this: we pull listings off the market and re-list them constantly. It's not about tricking anyone. It gets fresh eyes on a property.
I did this recently with a home that sat too long. We took it off market for 30 days, adjusted the price, then re-listed it as "new." Back to the top of search results. Buyers started paying attention again.
Multiple offers and a sale over asking followed. This makes days on market real estate numbers meaningless. That "new" listing you're looking at sat on the market for three months last year.
What Actually Drives Sales
Stop staring at DOM numbers. Focus on what moves the needle: price, presentation, and agent presence.
Price is everything. Is the home priced correctly for today's market? I don't care if it's listed for one day or 100 days. If the price is right for condition and location, it's worth considering.
Presentation matters more than you think. I've seen beautiful homes sit on the market simply because they weren't presented well - whether due to poor staging or sellers who refuse to illuminate their homes during viewings. People worry about $4 daily electricity bills while selling million-dollar houses. It's truly absurd.
Agent presence makes a huge difference. Is the listing agent responsive? Do they make showing easy? These factors affect selling speed more than most people realize.
Real Stories That Will Change Your Perspective
Here's why DOM numbers are meaningless. I had a stunning Orinda home listed at $1.8 million that sat for 73 days. Every buyer asked: "What's the catch?"
The catch? Sellers refused to stage properly. They wouldn't move personal items. The house showed terribly. Photos looked cramped. Buyers couldn't envision themselves living there. The day we staged properly and retook photos, we had three offers within a week. Final sale: $1.825 million.
Then there was this gorgeous Lafayette ranch that hit 41 days on market. Buyers assumed it was overpriced or had hidden issues. The reality? Sellers restricted showings to weekends only because of work schedules. Once they allowed weekday appointments, it sold in 10 days to a buyer who waited three weeks just to get inside.
Most recently, I worked with buyers who almost passed on their dream home because it sat for 47 days. The previous buyers backed out during inspections over a minor roof repair that cost $3,200 to fix. My clients got an incredible deal on a $1.6 million property because other buyers got spooked by the DOM number instead of understanding the simple backstory.
The DOM Sweet Spot Smart Buyers Target
Here's something counterintuitive: some of the best deals happen in that 30 to 60 day window when other buyers get nervous. This is when motivated sellers become realistic about pricing and presentation.
I call it the DOM sweet spot. Properties on market long enough for initial excitement to fade, but not so long that actual problems exist. These homes often represent the best value because seller expectations adjusted to reality.
Last year, I helped a young family find an amazing Moraga home at day 44. Other buyers moved on, assuming something was wrong. We researched, discovered it was priced $50,000 too high initially, and sellers just made the correction. We got it for $25,000 under the new asking price.
How to Research DOM Like a Pro
Don't just look at the number. Dig into the story behind it. Here's what I teach buyers to investigate:
Check price history on Redfin or Zillow. Has the home been reduced? When? By how much? Recent reductions signal motivated sellers and fair pricing.
Look at showing activity. Some properties sit because they're hard to see, not because they're bad. Restricted showing times, difficult access, or unresponsive agents artificially extend DOM.
Research comparable sales during the listing period. The home was fairly priced when listed, but three similar homes sold nearby for less, making this one look expensive.
Find out about inspection issues or buyer fallouts. Deals collapse over minor issues that get blown out of proportion, creating opportunities for informed buyers.
The 90 Day Rule That Changes Everything
Properties that hit 90 days enter a different category entirely. Something significant happens: major price adjustments, serious seller motivation, or genuine property issues needing attention.
But 90+ day properties can be incredible opportunities if you understand what drives the extended market time. I've seen buyers get $100,000+ discounts on homes that sat because of poor marketing or stubborn pricing strategies.
The key is knowing which 90+ day properties represent opportunity versus which ones have real problems. This is where working with an experienced local agent becomes crucial.
Why Some Great Homes Sit Longer
Perfect homes can sit for surprising reasons that have nothing to do with quality. Unique architecture appeals to fewer buyers. Custom features seem too personal. Locations require specific buyer preferences.
I recently sold a stunning contemporary home in Lafayette that sat 67 days because most buyers in the area prefer traditional styles. The right buyer eventually came along and paid full price, but the extended DOM scared off many potential purchasers who would have loved the home.
Current Market Psychology You Need to Understand
Today's buyers are super picky and slow. They have very little sense of urgency, which creates opportunities for smart buyers who understand what's happening.
Here's what I see daily: buyers want to deduct renovation costs from asking prices, even when properties are already priced for their condition. They're not in a hurry to overpay. If you're asking too much, they move on to the next house.
But great houses priced properly still sell quickly for over asking price. The market hasn't changed that much. Good properties at fair prices still create competition.
Working with the Right Team
As a top agent Lafayette families trust, I've learned this business should be personal. It's intimate involvement in important financial and lifestyle decisions. You should have personal attachment to any property you're considering, just like you should work with agents who care about your outcome.
Our team achieved significant sales volume throughout the East Bay because we focus on building real relationships with clients. We're located right here in Lafayette, and we live in the communities we serve.
Here's what one recent client told me: "Kelly helped us see past the 'days on market' number that initially concerned us. His market knowledge showed us we were looking at a repriced gem rather than a problem property."
Another said: "Working with Kelly felt like having a knowledgeable friend guide us. He never let us get caught up in meaningless statistics."
What Really Drives Value in Lafayette
Lafayette provides easy access to the best CA school districts, stunning outdoor recreation such as Lafayette Reservoir and Briones Regional Park, easy commuting on BART and major highways, and lively community culture conducive to family living.
These fundamental advantages don't change based on how long individual properties sit on the market. When you evaluate homes, think about how they fit the lifestyle you want to create, not just DOM statistics.
My Final Take on Days on Market
The next time you see a property that's been on market for what seems like a long time, dig deeper before you dismiss it. Look at price history. Find out what changes have been made. Understand the context.
You'll discover that days on market real estate numbers tell stories about pricing adjustments or presentation improvements rather than fundamental property problems.
Remember, in today's East Bay housing trends, being a thoughtful buyer gives you advantages that weren't available during peak market years. You can take time to evaluate neighborhoods, school systems, and long-term value potential without pressure of immediate decisions.
The key is working with professionals who understand local nuances and can help you see past surface-level metrics to real value and opportunity.
Ready to Move Beyond the DOM Obsession?
Whether you are a first-time buyer or want to move up in Lafayette, Orinda, or Moraga, prioritize finding homes that suit your lifestyle, budget, and long-term objectives. Avoid letting irrelevant statistics constrict your choice.
The right house is out there waiting for you, bypassed by other buyers who got caught up in days on market statistics rather than seeing true opportunity.
Ready to begin your Lafayette home search with someone who knows what really counts? Call Kelly Crawford today. Let's discuss your unique needs and craft a value-based plan, not based on deceptive statistics.
You're not purchasing a DOM number. You're purchasing a home.
