In Canadian real estate, Days on Market (DOM) simply measures how long a property has been listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) before it sells, expires, is withdrawn, or terminated.
It’s one of the clearest indicators of how active the market is — showing whether homes are moving quickly, sitting too long, or priced out of sync with buyer demand. Understanding DOM helps both buyers and sellers gauge timing, competition, and negotiation power in today’s market.
DOM: A Simple Metric with Big Implications
Days on Market (DOM) counts the total number of calendar days a property remains active on MLS®. The clock starts when the listing goes live and stops when the listing status changes to sold, expired, withdrawn, or terminated.
DOM as a Market Health Indicator
**DOM** reflects market pace — the shorter the average DOM, the stronger the demand. When compared with other indicators, it shows whether conditions favour buyers or sellers.
Days on Market Scale
Seller's Market
Typical DOM: < 15 days
Interpretation: Strong demand, limited listings, multiple offers
Balanced Market
Typical DOM: 15–30 days
Interpretation: Supply roughly equals demand
Buyer's Market
Typical DOM: > 30 days
Interpretation: Higher inventory, slower sales, more negotiating power
Additional Market Indicators
SNLR (Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio)
Measures what percentage of new listings sell in a given period — a key demand gauge.
MOI (Months of Inventory)
Shows how long it would take to sell all current listings if no new ones were added.
Together, DOM, SNLR, and MOI paint a complete picture of market momentum.
Market Health Calculator
Market Analysis Results
How REALTORS® and Boards Track DOM
DOM is automatically tracked by the MLS®, a national system overseen by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and managed locally by real estate boards such as:
- TRREB (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board)
- RAHB (Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington)
- ITSO (Information Technology Systems Ontario)
Once entered, the system counts days continuously until the property is sold, expired, terminated, or withdrawn.
If the same property is re-listed under a new MLS® number, the DOM resets, which is why related metrics like LDOM and PDOM (or CDOM) matter.
LDOM vs. PDOM (The Full Story)
Understanding key real estate metrics for property listing duration
| Metric | Meaning | Resets When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDOM (Listing DOM) |
The total number of days the property has been active under its **current MLS® listing record**.
Current Listing Only
|
Sold, expired, withdrawn, **or re-listed with a new MLS® number**. | General indicator of listing "freshness" and short-term performance. |
| PDOM / CDOM (Property / Cumulative DOM) |
**Total cumulative time** the property has been available across all listings over a recent period.
Most Accurate Metric
|
Only upon a sale or after being off-market for an MLS-defined period (e.g., typically 90 days). | Shows **true market exposure** for the property, revealing previous relistings. |
Why DOM Matters for Buyers
- Short DOM (0–15 days): Indicates high demand and fast sales — expect competition.
- Moderate DOM (15–30 days): Suggests balanced conditions and fair negotiation opportunities.
- High DOM (>30 days): May reflect overpricing, limited interest, or a niche property type (for example, luxury homes or unique architectural designs).
A high DOM isn’t always a red flag. Some properties are paused and re-entered with new pricing or marketing, so it’s smart to check PDOM/CDOM for the full timeline before assuming it’s been stagnant.
Why DOM Matters for Sellers
If your property’s DOM is higher than the local average, it may signal a problem with pricing, presentation, or timing.
Common reasons include:
- Pricing above recent comparable sales
- Weak marketing exposure or online presentation
- Seasonal slowdowns reducing buyer traffic
Monitoring average DOM by property type (e.g., detached vs. condo) helps sellers benchmark performance and adjust strategy early.
How DOM Affects Perceived Value
Buyers often assume long-DOM properties are overpriced or problematic, but this isn’t always true. Some listings are relisted for strategic reasons, while others represent slower-moving property types.
Conversely, low DOM listings often attract premium pricing due to urgency and competition.
For sellers, aligning price and marketing correctly from Day 1 is the surest path to a fast sale.
Content reviewed by: Faiza Ahmed, Broker
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Market interpretations vary by region and property type. Always verify local data and consult a licensed real estate professional before making major real estate decisions.