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What Are LDOM and PDOM in Real Estate?

LDOM and PDOM are two key indicators used in Canadian real estate to measure how long a property has been on the market. LDOM tracks the days for a single active listing, while PDOM shows the total time a property has been marketed across all its listings. Understanding both helps buyers and sellers assess how a property is performing and how active the local market really is.

What Are LDOM and PDOM?

A quick, buyer- and seller-friendly guide to Days on Market metrics in Canadian listings.

When you see "Days on Market" on a listing, you are usually looking at either LDOM or PDOM. Both measure time on market, but in different ways. Use the table below to tell them apart and understand why both matter in real decisions.

Feature LDOM (Listing Days on Market) PDOM (Property Days on Market)
Definition The number of days a single active listing has been on the market. The PDOM (Property Days on Market) is the cumulative sum of the property's active listing periods (days spent on-market). The time a property spends off-market (the gap between listings, often initiated by cancellation, expiration, or delisting) is not included in the PDOM calculation.
Calculation Starts when the listing goes live under its current MLS® number and stops when it is sold or removed. Starts when the property is first listed and continues counting through relists, even if a new MLS® number is issued or a new agreement is signed.
Value Relationship Always less than or equal to PDOM. Always greater than or equal to LDOM.
Usefulness Shows how a single listing is performing in the current market window. Provides the fuller marketing history, revealing prior attempts to sell and total exposure time.

How to Read These Numbers

A low LDOM with a higher PDOM often means the home was previously listed and refreshed with a new MLS® number, new price, or new marketing. Buyers can use this context to assess negotiating room. Sellers can use it to decide when to adjust pricing or presentation if market fatigue appears.

Why LDOM and PDOM Matter

1. For Buyers

When you see a property with a low LDOM but high PDOM, it often means the home has been sitting on the market longer than it appears. The seller may have cancelled and relisted, perhaps at a new price or with new photos.

  • A high PDOM could indicate negotiation room — the seller might be motivated.
  • A low PDOM suggests recent market entry, where offers at or near asking price are more common.

2. For Sellers

Monitoring both metrics helps you gauge your listing’s performance against market norms.

  • If your LDOM is significantly above the local average, it may be time to revisit pricing, staging, or marketing strategy.
  • If PDOM climbs while showings drop, that’s a sign of market fatigue — potential buyers have already seen your listing.

3. For REALTORS®

Agents use LDOM and PDOM to report on listing effectiveness and market health. These figures feed into monthly board statistics, helping define trends like “average days on market” or absorption rates.

How Real Estate Boards Track Them

Both values are pulled directly from the MLS® system. While terminology is largely consistent, there can be minor variations by board:

  • TRREB (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board) and most Ontario boards report both LDOM and PDOM.
  • Some smaller or rural boards only report LDOM.
  • When a listing is terminated and relisted by the same brokerage, LDOM resets, but PDOM keeps counting.

This helps ensure transparency even when listings are refreshed.

LDOM vs PDOM — See It, Don't Just Read It

A buyer-friendly, visual walkthrough showing how listing relists reset LDOM while PDOM keeps counting total time on market.

LDOM = current listing only PDOM = entire marketing history Relist resets LDOM, not PDOM

LDOM (Listing Days on Market)

  • Counts only the days under the current MLS® number.
  • Resets to 0 when a property is cancelled and relisted.
  • Useful to see how the current strategy is performing.

PDOM (Property Days on Market)

  • Totals all days the property was marketed across listings.
  • Does not reset on relist; it keeps counting.
  • Useful to judge total exposure and seller motivation.

Interactive LDOM/PDOM Simulator

Enter up to three listing periods (start & end). Leave later rows blank if unused. Click a preset to auto-fill scenarios.

Preset: Fresh Listing Preset: Cancel & Relist Once Preset: Price Pause Preset: Multiple Relists

What Influences LDOM and PDOM

A few factors can lengthen or shorten these numbers in real estate markets

LDOM (Listing Days on Market): The number of days a property has been actively listed for sale.

PDOM (Property Days on Market): The cumulative days a property has been on market across all listings.

Market Rule Note (Sold Conditionally): The Days on Market clock is **paused** when a property's status changes to "Sold Conditionally" (pending subject removal). If the deal falls through and the property comes back on the market, the clock resumes where it left off.
Factor Typical Effect
Competitive Pricing Lowers both LDOM and PDOM, as the property represents good value and attracts immediate interest. i
Pricing a property at or slightly below current market value can generate multiple offers and drive a quick sale.
Excellent Property Condition Lowers both metrics; buyers see less need for repairs/renovations and are willing to make quick offers. i
Turnkey properties, well-maintained with modern finishes, sell faster as they appeal to the broadest audience.
Professional Staging/Photos Lowers both LDOM and PDOM by maximizing appeal, drawing in more potential buyers. i
High-quality marketing makes the property stand out online, increasing showings and generating faster offers.
High Demand Location Lowers both metrics significantly, as inventory is scarce and competition among buyers is intense. i
Properties in highly sought-after school districts or desirable neighborhoods with high walkability often sell in days.
Overpricing Raises both LDOM and PDOM, as buyers wait for a price drop. i
Overpriced properties often sit on the market longer as buyers perceive better value elsewhere or wait for price reductions.
Seasonality Listings stay longer in winter months; faster turnover in spring. i
Spring and summer typically see higher buyer activity, while winter months often have slower market movement.
Property Type Detached homes may take longer to sell than condos in hot urban markets. i
Market preferences vary by location - in dense urban areas, condos often sell faster due to affordability and convenience.
Market Conditions In a seller's market, both metrics drop. In a buyer's market, they climb. i
Seller's markets have high demand and low inventory, while buyer's markets have more supply than demand.
Relisting Strategy Cancelling and relisting can "reset" LDOM but not PDOM. i
While relisting resets the visible days on market, the cumulative PDOM continues to track the property's total market time.

Understanding these factors helps sellers and agents develop effective pricing and marketing strategies.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: A low LDOM means the home is new on the market.
Reality: It might just be a relist — always check PDOM.

Myth: Longer market time means something’s wrong with the property.
Reality: Not necessarily. It could reflect market slowdowns, location, or simply seller timing.

Myth: Agents reset listings to hide information.
Reality: Relisting is often strategic — for example, after a price adjustment or when switching brokerages.

How to Interpret LDOM and PDOM as a Buyer or Seller

Buyers

  • Compare LDOM/PDOM with the average Days on Market (DOM) in that area.
  • A property with high PDOM may have more room for negotiation, especially if it’s been reduced in price.
  • Always ask your agent for the property’s full listing history.

Sellers

  • Review local averages before listing.
  • If your LDOM exceeds the local benchmark by 25–30%, consider adjustments.
  • Use PDOM to measure how your property performs over time, especially if you’ve switched agents or brokerages.

What REALTORS® See Behind the Scenes

Real estate professionals can view a detailed MLS® log showing each listing’s start and end dates, price changes, and agent remarks. This helps ensure market transparency, even if the public view only shows the current LDOM.

That’s why understanding both numbers helps level the playing field — buyers and sellers can make decisions with full context.

Quick Reference Summary

Scenario What It Means Buyer Takeaway Seller Takeaway
Low LDOM + Low PDOM Fresh listing Expect competition Early feedback is valuable
Low LDOM + High PDOM Relisted property Room to negotiate Review pricing strategy
High LDOM + High PDOM Stale listing Leverage for lower offer Consider price/staging change

Final Thoughts

LDOM and PDOM may look like small acronyms, but they offer a window into market Behavior. They reveal whether a property is new, reintroduced, or lingering, all of which affect how you should approach an offer or marketing strategy.

For anyone analyzing Canadian real estate data, understanding these two metrics is essential. They turn surface-level listing dates into a deeper story of how homes move through the market.

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.