Should You Avoid Homes That Have Been Listed for a While?
Team Olivieri
Monday, February 2, 2026
You scroll through listings, and one catches your eye — but it’s been sitting for weeks, maybe months. Instantly, your mind goes there:
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?”
“Am I missing something?”
That reaction made sense a few years ago. But in today’s Ontario housing market, skipping over homes that have been listed a little longer could actually mean missing out.
But the market has changed. Inventory has grown, buyers have more choices, and naturally, sales are taking longer.
According to recent local board stats, the average time to sell in much of Ontario now ranges between 45–75 days, depending on location. That’s normal, not a concern. It just feels slower because everyone remembers the hyper-fast markets of a few years ago.
So, when you see a home sitting for a bit, it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong with the property itself.
Here are a few common reasons homes linger longer these days:
Homes that sit a little longer often turn into great opportunities for buyers who look past the first impression. You might find a better price, more seller flexibility, or simply less competition from other buyers.
The key is knowing which listings are worth a second look and which ones aren’t.
That’s where working with a local REALTOR® expert, like Team OLIVIERI, really pays off. An experienced agent understands market patterns, can access disclosures, and knows how to spot the difference between a hidden problem and an overlooked gem.
If you’re tired of competing for the “buzziest” listings, let’s connect. Team OLIVIERI will help you spot the homes that are priced right, have real potential, and might just become your best-kept secret in this market.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?”
“Am I missing something?”
That reaction made sense a few years ago. But in today’s Ontario housing market, skipping over homes that have been listed a little longer could actually mean missing out.
More Time on Market Isn’t Automatically a Red Flag
During the 2020–2021 frenzy, homes were flying off the market within days — sometimes hours. If a property took longer than a weekend to sell, people assumed something was wrong.But the market has changed. Inventory has grown, buyers have more choices, and naturally, sales are taking longer.
According to recent local board stats, the average time to sell in much of Ontario now ranges between 45–75 days, depending on location. That’s normal, not a concern. It just feels slower because everyone remembers the hyper-fast markets of a few years ago.
So, when you see a home sitting for a bit, it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong with the property itself.
Here are a few common reasons homes linger longer these days:
- There’s a higher supply of similar listings in the area.
- The seller priced a little high early on.
- The photos didn’t fully capture the home’s potential.
- Buyers were distracted by flashier, newer listings nearby.
- Timing — maybe it hit the market in an off-season lull.
What Buyers Often Get Wrong About These Listings
It’s easy to assume something must be wrong if a house hasn’t sold yet — but in many cases, that’s not true. If there is an issue, your inspection will reveal it. That’s knowledge you can use to negotiate — not necessarily a reason to walk away.Homes that sit a little longer often turn into great opportunities for buyers who look past the first impression. You might find a better price, more seller flexibility, or simply less competition from other buyers.
The key is knowing which listings are worth a second look and which ones aren’t.
That’s where working with a local REALTOR® expert, like Team OLIVIERI, really pays off. An experienced agent understands market patterns, can access disclosures, and knows how to spot the difference between a hidden problem and an overlooked gem.
Bottom Line
A home that’s been sitting on the market isn’t always a warning sign — sometimes it’s an opportunity others missed.If you’re tired of competing for the “buzziest” listings, let’s connect. Team OLIVIERI will help you spot the homes that are priced right, have real potential, and might just become your best-kept secret in this market.
We would like to hear from you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always looking forward to hearing from you! We will do our best to reply to you within 24 hours !