What Happens When Your Home Sits on the Market too Long

How time changes what buyers think (even if nothing's actually wrong)

Author

Cale Botha
December 18, 2025

Hi ,

When a home first hits the market, buyers look at it with curiosity.

When it sits, they look at it with suspicion.

Even if nothing's wrong, time changes the story buyers tell themselves.

Here's what most buyers assume when a listing has been active longer than expected:

1. Something must be wrong

Buyers assume there's a problem. Maybe it's overpriced. Maybe the layout's awkward, the location's off, or the condition isn't what it seems online.

Even if none of that's true, the stigma sticks. And once buyers believe something's wrong, they approach it looking for proof.

2. The seller is unrealistic

Long days on market signal inflexibility.

Instead of asking "Could this work?" buyers ask "How much lower would they go?"

3. The best buyers already passed

Serious buyers watch new listings closely.

If a property is still sitting weeks later, they assume the strongest buyers already walked away.

That shifts the buyer pool from motivated buyers ready to move, to bargain hunters waiting for a price drop.

4. It has lost momentum

The first two weeks create urgency. Buyers book showings and act fast because they don't want to miss out.

After that? Interest fades. It feels stale. Buyers stop feeling pressure because they figure it'll still be there next week.

5. Price reductions are expected

Once a property sits, buyers stop asking if the price is fair.

They start waiting for the reduction. Even strong buyers will hesitate, expecting a better deal later.

This is why the first two weeks matter so much.

Homes don't lose value because time passes. They lose leverage.

The goal isn't to rush. It's to enter the market correctly so buyers respond the way you want them to. That means the right price, the right prep, and the right marketing strategy from day one.

I've seen too many good homes sit simply because they weren't positioned right from the start. And once that happens, it's an uphill battle to change buyer perception.

Want To Benefit In This Market?

I’ve got a beautiful track record with buying and selling in all kinds of markets. If you want a clear plan for today’s market, reply to this email to book a no-pressure home sale consultation.

Thank you!

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of my newsletter.

Sincerely,

Cale Botha

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