Market · September 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Reading the market: what days on market and sale-to-list really tell you
You’ll hear agents talk about days on market, sale-to-list and inventory. Here is what those numbers mean for you, whether you’re buying or selling.
Market reports are full of numbers. A few matter far more than the rest, because they tell you who has the upper hand on your street right now.
Days on market
How long homes are taking to sell. When it’s short, buyers are competing and sellers have leverage. When it stretches out, buyers have time to compare and negotiate.
Sale-to-list ratio
The sale price compared with the asking price. Above 100% means homes are selling over asking, usually through competing offers. Below 100% means buyers are negotiating prices down.
Months of inventory
How long it would take to sell every home that’s listed now if no new ones came on. Low inventory favours sellers. High inventory favours buyers.
Why the averages can mislead
City-wide figures mix condos with detached homes, and busy neighbourhoods with quiet ones. What matters is the numbers for homes like yours, near you, in the last few weeks. That’s what we pull before we price a listing or write an offer.
The market isn’t one number. It’s your street, this month.
Want the numbers for your neighbourhood? Ask us, and we’ll show you what’s selling near you and what it means for your plans.
