If you’ve been watching Central Texas real estate lately and thinking, “Why is everything taking longer?”—you’re not imagining it. One of the clearest signals of a shifting pace is Days on Market (DOM).

So, what is DOM?

Days on Market is the number of days a home is listed as active before it goes under contract. In plain English: how long it takes buyers to say “Yes” (or at least “Let’s negotiate”).

In a fast market, great homes can go pending in a weekend. In a slower market, buyers have more options, more time, and—let’s be real—more opinions from their group chat.

What DOM looks like in a slower market

DOM typically rises when:

• Inventory increases (more homes to choose from)
• Buyers become pickier (condition, layout, location, price… all under a microscope)
• Interest rates or affordability tighten budgets
• Overpricing gets punished quickly (the market doesn’t do “wishful thinking” pricing)

For example, in the Glenn High / Danielson Middle area dataset you shared, the median sales DOM jumped to 111 days in the most recent 3-month period, compared with 41–48 days in earlier periods—a big shift in market tempo.

Why DOM is not a “bad house” label

• A higher DOM doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. It often means:
• The home launched at a price buyers didn’t agree with
• The listing needed stronger presentation (photos, staging, repairs)
• Buyers are simply taking longer to decide

How to use DOM as a smart strategy

If you’re selling:

• Price with today’s competition (not last spring’s headlines)
•  Prep like you’re competing for a spotlight (because you are)
• Plan for longer timelines and negotiation

If you’re buying:

• Use DOM to spot opportunity (stale listings = leverage)
•  Negotiate repairs/credits with more confidence
•  Take your time—but not too much time on the best homes

In a slower market, DOM becomes a helpful “speedometer,” not a scarlet letter. Want me to translate DOM trends into a simple pricing + timing game plan for your neighborhood?