No homeowner lists a house hoping it drags on for months. Most people selling a home have a reason: a job change, a new house lined up, a family situation, or financial pressure. Time matters. And when the days start piling up with no offers, anxiety sets in fast.
I’ve worked with hundreds of Utah homeowners over the years, and one question comes up constantly:
How long should my house be on the market before I should worry?
The answer is more nuanced than most articles make it seem. It depends just as much on buyer psychology as it does market statistics.
What Is Considered a Long Time for a House to Be on the Market?
In most markets, including Utah, a house that sits longer than the local average days on market starts to raise red flags for buyers.
That doesn’t mean your house is unsellable. It means perception has shifted, and perception drives price.
Here’s how buyers typically interpret time on market:
- 0–30 days: Fresh, competitive listing
- 31–60 days: Buyers monitor and hesitate
- 61–90 days: Buyers assume something is wrong
- 90+ days: Negotiating power shifts heavily to buyers
Once your home crosses the average for your area, buyers stop asking if it’s right for them and start asking what’s wrong with it.
The Real Timeline of Selling a Home
Most homeowners underestimate how long selling a house really takes. Days on market are only one piece of a much longer process.
A traditional sale often includes:
- Pre-sale preparation such as repairs and cleaning
- Listing to offer period
- Inspections and negotiations
- Appraisal and underwriting
- Closing timeline
Even when nothing goes wrong, many sales take six to nine months from decision to move-out.
Understanding Days on Market and Buyer Psychology
Days on market is a public number buyers see immediately. They don’t need to ask an agent. It’s right there on the listing.
Buyers subconsciously translate that number like this:
- Low days on market means competition
- Average days on market means fair value
- High days on market means leverage
Once a home exceeds the average, buyers assume the seller will accept less—even if that’s not true.
How to Know the Average Days on Market in Your Area
Average days on market vary widely depending on neighborhood, price point, and condition.
To find a realistic benchmark:
- Review sold listings from the last 90 to 180 days
- Compare similar size, age, and condition
- Calculate the average days on market
If your home is sitting longer than that number, buyers are already adjusting expectations.
Why Homes Sit on the Market Too Long
Most homes don’t sit because of one issue. They sit because of stacked friction.
Price Is the Biggest Factor
Price solves almost everything. A correctly priced home with average condition will sell faster than a perfect home priced too high.
Overpricing reduces showings, weakens offers, and trains buyers to wait. Underpricing may feel risky, but it often creates urgency.
Condition Still Matters
Buyers want certainty. Visible wear, outdated finishes, or deferred maintenance create doubt and longer selling times.
Timing Can Work Against You
Seasonality still matters in Utah. Spring and early summer attract more buyers. Fall and winter slow momentum.
Location Can’t Change, But Presentation Can
Location matters, but strong presentation and messaging can offset weaker areas by highlighting convenience and lifestyle benefits.
Photos Matter More Than Ever
Most buyers decide whether to tour a home within seconds online. Poor photos instantly reduce interest, even for solid homes.
What Happens When a House Sits Too Long?
When a house stays on the market too long, momentum fades.
- Buyers expect discounts
- Offers include more contingencies
- Appraisals become harder
- Negotiations favor the buyer
Eventually, the listing becomes stale and new buyers avoid it.
When Waiting No Longer Makes Sense
Sometimes the issue isn’t the house—it’s life.
If you’re facing relocation, divorce, inherited property, financial pressure, health concerns, or major repairs you can’t afford, waiting months for the perfect buyer can cost more than it saves.
A Faster Alternative to Selling on the Market
Selling for cash isn’t about giving up. It’s about control.
When I buy a house directly, there are no repairs, no showings, no appraisals, no financing delays, and no agent commissions.
Many homeowners who’ve waited too long actually net more by avoiding months of carrying costs and stress.
Final Thought on How Long a House Should Be on the Market
Every extra month on the market has a cost:
- Mortgage payments
- Taxes and insurance
- Utilities
- Stress
- Lost opportunities
The best sale isn’t always the highest number. It’s the one that lets you move forward without regret.
About Gary Parker
I began investing in real estate in the early 2000s and founded Gary Buys Houses to help homeowners who needed clarity, speed, and honesty. My wife Eileen and I have worked with Utah families for years, helping people sell when traditional methods weren’t working. I believe in fair offers, straightforward conversations, and letting homeowners choose what’s best for their situation.