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Helpful InformationPublished January 26, 2026
The Hidden Cost of Days on Market — and How to Avoid It
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The Hidden Cost of Days on Market — and How to Avoid It
Why speed matters more than you think in today’s Michigan housing market
Most sellers assume that if their home “just needs more time,” the right buyer will eventually show up.
But in reality?
A home that sits on the market for too long doesn’t just look stale — it becomes more expensive to sell.
Let’s talk about the hidden financial and psychological costs of extended Days on Market (DOM), and what Michigan homeowners can do to avoid them.
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1. Price Reductions (Which Cost More Than Most Realize)
Homes that linger are viewed as “less valuable,” even if nothing is wrong with them.
What buyers think when they see higher DOM:
• “Something must be wrong with the house.”
• “The seller must be getting desperate.”
• “We can lowball.”
As a result, sellers often end up making larger price reductions than they would have needed if the home was positioned correctly from day one.
A better approach:
A data-backed pricing strategy from the start always leads to stronger, earlier offers — without the slow bleed of reductions.
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2. Lower Negotiation Power
Homes with high DOM get less aggressive, less confident offers.
Buyers assume:
“If it’s been sitting this long, they’ll take whatever they can get.”
Even strong homes lose leverage simply because they look like they’ve been rejected by the market.
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3. “Stale Listing” Stigma
Once a listing crosses the 30–45 day threshold, it gets mentally filed as “overpriced or flawed.”
Even if you:
• change photos
• make repairs
• improve staging
… buyers still wonder why it didn’t sell the first time.
This is why relaunching with proper fixes is almost always more effective than letting a listing drift.
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4. Carrying Costs Add Up Fast
Every extra week on the market costs money:
• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Yard maintenance or snow removal
• HOA fees
• Repairs you have to keep doing
In Michigan, many sellers pay $600–$1,500+ per week in carrying costs without realizing it.
A faster sale isn’t just emotionally easier — it’s financially smarter.
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5. Reduced Buyer Traffic After Week 2
The first 10–14 days are your “peak audience.”
After that, activity drops sharply.
If the home doesn’t get traction early, it becomes much harder to regain momentum.
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6. You Risk Chasing the Market
If interest rates shift or new competing listings pop up, prices can move quickly.
Sitting too long puts sellers in a reactive position:
• Adjusting the price
• Re-staging
• Re-marketing
• Re-listing
Instead of being ahead of the market, you’re trying to catch up — usually at a cost.
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How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of High DOM
✔ 1. Nail the launch strategy
Professional photos, compelling description, clean staging, and targeted exposure all matter.
✔ 2. Price based on today’s Michigan market — not last year’s
Price it right, not “hopeful.”
✔ 3. Make the home easy to show
More showings = more opportunities for offers.
✔ 4. Correct issues before listing
Small repairs save thousands later.
✔ 5. Monitor feedback early
If something’s off, adjust quickly — don’t wait 30 days.
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A Strong Start Always Makes a Stronger Sale
The best time to capture the highest sale price is day 1–14.
After that, every additional day on market has a cost — financially, strategically, and emotionally.
If you want to explore how to create a high-impact launch for your home (or relaunch after an expired listing), we’re here to walk you through it — no pressure, just clarity.
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