36 Days and Counting: How Long Should You Expect Your LA Home to Be on Market?

36 Days and Counting: How Long Should You Expect Your LA Home to Be on Market?

The real estate market in Los Angeles is a complex and dynamic environment, especially in 2025, where buyers and sellers alike are asking: "How long will my home be on the market?" Recent data suggests the average days a home spends on the market in LA is around 36 days, but understanding the factors behind this number and what it means for individual sellers and buyers is essential.

Current Market Snapshot: How 36 Days Came to Be

According to the latest MLS and market reporting data, Los Angeles homes are going under contract in approximately 30 to 58 days on average, with 36 days often cited as a median figure depending on property type and location. This is a meaningful increase compared to the frenzied pace from previous years, where homes sold in under two weeks or less due to extreme buyer demand and limited inventory.

Several trends explain this adjustment:

• An increase in home inventory has created more options for buyers, reducing urgency.

• Higher mortgage rates have tempered buyer appetite, encouraging more deliberate decision-making.

• Sellers are facing more competition and need to price and stage homes strategically to stand out.

What Buyers Should Expect

For buyers, a home sitting on the market for around 36 days implies a moderate pace—neither a buyer’s market flooded with inventory nor a blazing seller’s market where bidding wars dominate. This affords buyers:

• More time for thorough inspections and thoughtful comparisons.

• Opportunities to negotiate price and terms, especially if a home has been listed for over a month.

• The chance to avoid overpaying by carefully evaluating market comps and seller motivation.

What This Means for Sellers

Sellers should prepare for homes to stay on the market longer than during the pandemic peak but still within a timeframe that rewards well-priced and well-maintained properties. Key considerations include:

• Pricing realistically to attract serious buyers early on. Overpricing can lead to extended days on market, which often absorbs buyer interest.

• Investing in professional staging and high-quality photography to make a strong first impression online and in showings.

• Being open to negotiations and flexible with terms, as buyers are more selective.

• Understanding that patience is necessary—an average of 36 days means some homes sell faster, others slower depending on condition and location.

Regional Variations Within LA

Los Angeles is a diverse market with wide variation in homes’ days on market depending on neighborhood, property type, and price segment.

• Luxury properties often take longer to sell, sometimes 45 days or more, as the buyer pool is smaller.

• Entry-level and mid-range homes may sell closer to or under the average day count because of higher demand in these segments.

• Condos and townhomes generally have a longer market duration compared to single-family homes due to differing buyer profiles.

Market Outlook and Trends

Experts agree that the median days on market will remain relatively steady through the fall of 2025, barring any unforeseen economic changes. Factors expected to influence this include potential easing of mortgage rates, seasonal buyer activity dips, and inventory flow from sellers deciding whether to list amid market uncertainty.

Final Thoughts

The 36-day market timeline reflects a more balanced Los Angeles real estate landscape where buyers gain some negotiating leverage and sellers must be strategic about pricing and presentation. It's a marked shift from the rapid-fire sales frenzy seen in past years but not so slow as to discourage market activity. By understanding these dynamics, both buyers and sellers can better navigate their real estate decisions in 2025.