The U.S. housing market continues its transition from pandemic-era extremes toward more balanced conditions, with homes now taking significantly longer to sell compared to the ultra-competitive market of recent years. This HomeAbroad analysis examines days on market trends across 925+ metropolitan areas nationwide, revealing how market velocity has evolved from the 30-day frenzy of 2022 to today’s more measured pace.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights
- Homes stayed on the market for 51 days in May 2025, up 16 days (46%) from the April 2022 pandemic low of 35 days, signalling the housing market’s return to more typical selling timeframes.
- Days on market increased 13.3% compared to May 2024, marking the continuation of a trend that began in late 2022 as the market cooled from its pandemic highs.
- The fastest market is Amherst Town-Northampton, MA with homes selling in just 19 days, while the slowest is Raymondville, TX where homes linger for 151 days – an 8x difference between America’s hottest and coldest markets.
- Despite the recent increases, homes are still selling 22 days faster than the February 2020 pre-pandemic average of 73 days, indicating the market remains more competitive than historical norms.
Housing Market: Days on Market Statistics in 2025
The U.S. housing market continues its steady transition away from pandemic-era extremes, with homes now taking longer to sell as buyer competition moderates and inventory levels recover. May 2025 data shows the market has found a new equilibrium that remains more competitive than pre-pandemic conditions but significantly slower than the frenetic pace of 2021-2022.
1. Homes now take 51 days to sell nationally, up from 50 days in April 2025.
U.S. Housing Market: Days on Market Trend (2015-2025)
Average days from listing to contract signing
* 2025 data represents average through May 2025
** Chart shows annual averages; individual months may vary significantly
2. Days on market increased 13.3% year-over-year, from 45 days in May 2024.
3. Market is 70% slower than pandemic peak, when homes sold in just 30 days (April 2022).
4. Still 30% faster than pre-pandemic baseline, compared to 73 days in February 2020.
5. Fastest market sells in 19 days, slowest takes 151 days, an 8x difference across metros.
6. Current pace represents new post-pandemic normal, between historic extremes of 30-88 days.
7. Market has stabilized after 46% surge from 2022-2025, rising from 35 days to current 51 days over three years.
8. Spring selling season matches historical patterns, May’s 51 days aligns with 10-year May average of 50.9 days.
Top 10 Slowest Housing Markets (by Days on Market) – 2025
Rank | Metro Area | Days on Market | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Raymondville, TX | 151 days | +80.8% |
2 | Edwards, CO | 114 days | +3.6% |
3 | Zapata, TX | 113 days | -27.3% |
4 | Espanola, NM | 108 days | +53.6% |
5 | Price, UT | 107 days | +45.1% |
6 | Morgan City, LA | 101 days | +51.3% |
7 | Camden, AR | 101 days | +62.3% |
8 | Kennett, MO | 101 days | +1.3% |
9 | Eagle Pass, TX | 100 days | +0.5% |
10 | Selinsgrove, PA | 100 days | +110.5% |
Top 10 Fastest Housing Markets (by Days on Market) – 2025
Rank | Metro Area | Days on Market | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 19 days | +7.0% |
2 | Reading, PA | 21 days | -19.2% |
3 | Lancaster, PA | 23 days | -22.0% |
4 | Worcester, MA | 23 days | +31.4% |
5 | Kearney, NE | 24 days | -36.0% |
6 | Batavia, NY | 24 days | +21.5% |
7 | Greenfield, MA | 24 days | +4.3% |
8 | Elmira, NY | 24 days | -7.7% |
9 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | 24 days | +52.4% |
10 | Springfield, MA | 24 days | +45.5% |
Regional Statistics: Days on Market in 2025
Northeast Markets
- Northeast metros dominate the fastest-moving markets: Six of the nation’s top 10 markets with the lowest days on market are located in this region.
- Massachusetts leads with exceptional market speed: Amherst Town–Northampton tops the list with an average of just 19 days on market.
- Pennsylvania markets show sharp acceleration: Reading (21 days) and Lancaster (23 days) are among the fastest movers, with year-over-year declines in days on market of 19.2% and 22.0%, respectively.
- New Hampshire and New York also stand out: Manchester–Nashua averages just 24 days on market, while several New York metros also rank in the top 10.
Southern/Border Markets
- Texas border towns face major market slowdowns: Raymondville, TX, leads the nation with 151 median days on market, an 80.8% increase year-over-year.
- Rural Southern metros see extended selling times: Several towns along the Texas border (Zapata, Eagle Pass) and Southern cities like Camden, AR, and Morgan City, LA, are now averaging over 100 days on market.
- Days on market rising sharply year-over-year: Most of these slower markets are experiencing significant increases, with YoY gains ranging from 45% to 80%.
Mountain West Markets
- Luxury resort markets show slower turnover: Edwards, CO, is averaging 114 days on market (up 3.6% year-over-year), typical of high-end resort areas.
- Utah’s housing market reflects regional headwinds: Price, UT, is seeing 107 median days on market, a 45.1% year-over-year increase driven by local challenges.
- Mountain markets reveal mixed conditions: Days on market vary widely between urban and rural areas, highlighting contrasting trends within mountain regions.
Midwest Markets
- Kearney, NE emerges as a positive outlier: The market is showing the fastest improvement nationwide, with days on market down 36% year-over-year to just 24 days.
- Kennett, MO reflects Missouri’s market stability: The town is holding steady at 101 median days on market, with only a modest 1.3% year-over-year increase.
- Geographic variation highlights urban-rural divide: Urban metros continue to outperform rural areas by a significant margin in market speed.
What Do Experts Say?
Methodology
This analysis examines Realtor.com’s proprietary database covering 925+ metro areas nationwide from July 2016 through May 2025, representing approximately 95% of the U.S. housing market by transaction volume. Days on market is calculated as the median number of days between initial listing and contract signing for MLS-listed properties, excluding off-market sales, new construction direct sales, and FSBO transactions. Metro areas require minimum 50 monthly transactions for inclusion, with geographic classifications based on U.S. Census Bureau definitions. Year-over-year and historical comparisons use consistent methodology with key benchmarks including February 2020 (pre-pandemic), April 2022 (pandemic low), and seasonal averages based on 2017-2024 data. Median values are used throughout to minimize outlier impact, with percentage changes calculated using standard formulas.
About HomeAbroad
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HomeAbroad specializes in offering tailored foreign national mortgages for global investors and US newcomers without a US credit history. Their AI-driven investment property search platform helps investors efficiently discover properties that meet their financial and investment goals.
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- And providing ongoing support to make the entire experience seamless.
HomeAbroad is dedicated to empowering global investors with the tools, expertise, and support needed to succeed in the US real estate market.
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