How Long Is Too Long? What It Means If Your Markham Home Has Been on the Market for 100+ Days
Seeing your listing hit the 100-day mark is frustrating. You’ve kept the house clean, accommodated showings, and waited for the "right" buyer. But in York Region, a property that sits for three months or more sends a specific signal to the market. The good news? Buyer confidence is returning, and cautiously priced properties are finally moving. Here is what you need to know to break the stalemate.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORS® at Kaizen Real Estate in Markham, Ontario, specialize in revitalizing stalled listings. When a home sits on the market for over 100 days, it’s rarely because the house is "unsellable." It’s usually because the market has shifted, and the strategy hasn’t caught up. This guide explains why this happens, how buyers perceive long-listing properties, and the exact steps to get your home sold.
The "Stale Listing" Stigma — What Buyers Think
In real estate, time is not neutral. The first 14 days of a listing generate the most activity. By day 30, interest wanes. By day 100, a property is often labeled "stale." This doesn't mean the home is bad, but it does change how buyers approach it.
The Buyer Psychology: When buyers see a home that has been listed for 100+ days, they often assume one of two things: either there is something wrong with the property (hidden defects), or the seller is unrealistic about price. This gives buyers leverage to submit lower offers, knowing the seller may be motivated to finally close.
However, in 2026, this dynamic is shifting. As inventory tightens and buyer confidence returns, savvy buyers are circling back to these older listings. They know that the "new" inventory is often overpriced, while the 100-day listings may represent better value—if handled correctly.
Why Did It Sit? The Three Common Culprits
Before you can fix the problem, you must diagnose it. In Markham, homes typically sit for 100+ days for one of three reasons:
The home was priced for last year’s market, not today’s. Even a 3-5% overpricing can cause a property to miss its peak window. Buyers search by price brackets; if you are priced above the comparable sales, you simply don’t appear in their searches.
If your photos, virtual tour, or description haven’t been refreshed, repeat buyers (and their agents) scroll past. The listing looks "old" even if the price is right. In a digital-first market, stale marketing equals a stale perception.
Newer listings in Unionville, Wismer, or Box Grove are often staged and renovated. If your home shows dated or cluttered compared to these fresh competitors, buyers will choose the "shiny new object" unless the price reflects the work needed.
The 2026 Opportunity — Why 100 Days Isn't Fatal
Here is the silver lining: Homes listed for over 100 days in York Region are finally attracting showings and offers again. Why? Because the "flight to quality" has stabilized. Buyers are no longer afraid of older listings; they are actively hunting for value.
A property that has sat for 100 days is now a "known quantity." The uncertainty of a bidding war is gone. For cautious buyers in 2026, this is appealing. They can take their time, inspect thoroughly, and negotiate without the pressure of a deadline.
| Listing Age | Buyer Perception | Seller Leverage |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 Days | "Hot Property" | High (Multiple Offers) |
| 30–60 Days | "Overpriced?" | Medium (Negotiable) |
| 100+ Days | "Value Opportunity" | Low (Must Be Competitive) |
The key to unlocking this opportunity is to reposition the listing not as "unsold," but as "repriced for value."
The Reset Strategy — How to Get It Sold
If your home has been on the market for 100+ days, doing "more of the same" will not work. You need a hard reset. Michael and Neeraj recommend the following four-step process to breathe new life into your listing.
Review the last 30 days of sold data in your immediate neighbourhood. Not 90 days ago—last month. If your home is still priced above those sales, you must adjust. A significant price drop (e.g., 5-7%) can trigger new alerts for buyers who previously skipped your listing.
Update your main photo. Change the description. If possible, add a new video walkthrough or floor plan. When buyers see the listing pop up again with new visuals, they assume it’s a "new" opportunity, not just a lingering old one.
Your agent should reach out to every agent who showed the home in the first 30 days. Ask for feedback. Then, relaunch the home to their buyers with the new price. Many homes sell to a buyer who saw it months ago but couldn’t justify the price then.
In some cases, withdrawing the listing for 30 days and then relisting with a new MLS number can reset the "days on market" counter. However, this strategy requires transparency and ethical handling. Discuss this with your agent to ensure it aligns with current board rules and buyer trust.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani specialize in diagnosing stalled listings and implementing reset strategies that get Markham homes sold.
🏆 Michael John Lau & Neeraj Moolchandani — Awards & Recognition
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Market conditions vary by neighbourhood and property type. This guide does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified real estate professional for your specific situation.
