“How Long Has It Been On The Market?”

Added on 22 January 2018

One of the first things a buyer will ask an estate agent when offered a property is “How long has it been on the market?”, and with good reason. Buying a property is a large transaction and it takes courage to commit to undertake such an apparently huge decision – often with very little support other than pure instinct.  

One of the most persuasive and apparently reliable indications as to the suitability of a property is to check out whether other people have expressed an interest. There is great comfort in knowing that you are not the only one who would like to buy the property.  

Once people hear that others have expressed an interest, then everyone seems to want the property, as the power of “social proof” kicks in. This competition can often stimulate a quick sale at a high price, and usually occurs when a property is attractively priced in relation to other properties available for sale and is new to market. 

Of course the opposite is also true. When the price of a property is overly ambitious, the excitement that should surround a property that is new on the market is reduced, and it can begin to go stale. This is when nobody has made an offer and the property is seen to be repeatedly advertised. When buyers find out that it is no longer new on the market they think “Well nobody else wanted it – perhaps we are making a mistake.”

So our advice would be to position your property as one of the best available in its price range from day one. This will prompt interest and encourage asking price offers from qualified buyers. Under your agent’s advice, you should then have a choice of buyer, resulting in a fast, reliable, sale at the highest price the market will pay.

Peter Ryder

Managing Director

Thorntons Property

News Index

November 2024
11 Moving Distance
October 2024
14 Property Improvements
July 2024
29 Courteous Buyer1 Local staff, Local knowledge.
June 2024
3 A feeling of space.
May 2024
13 Location Location
April 2024
22 A Feeling of Space
March 2024
25 Buying on Instinct3 Thorntons raise £43,500 for Cash for Kids.
January 2024
6 2024 - The Year Ahead
November 2023
20 “This year - Don’t wait till Spring!”7 Making Moving Easier
October 2023
11 LEADING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY EXPERT WELCOMES ‘HEALTHIER’ MARKETPLACE
September 2023
25 Selling Tips for Autumn
August 2023
28 Location Location
July 2023
17 Optimising Your Saleability
June 2023
12 Seven Days
May 2023
15 The Power of Information
April 2023
4 GOLFERS’ PARADISE
March 2023
6 Top tips for viewing properties like a pro
February 2023
20 £37,500 raised for charity
January 2023
17 Getting ready to buy a home in 2023. 9 Home
December 2022
16 Additional Dwellings Supplement
November 2022
21 2023 Property Market Predictions
September 2022
27 Quick Tips to Maximise your Sale”
August 2022
22 Charity Wills at Thorntons Solicitors8 A Question of Preference
July 2022
30 How Many Should We See4 Plans for a Successful Sale
June 2022
6 "The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home”
May 2022
23 Making Moving Easier9 Property Market Update
April 2022
11 Should we accept the offer
March 2022
7 Quick Tips to Maximise your Sale.
February 2022
17 Thorntons donate £46K to Cash for Kids.
January 2022
24 Valuation Versus Value6 Thorntons Estate Agents Continue to Progress
November 2021
10 First Impressions
October 2021
18 The importance of using a professional photographer
September 2021
13 Virtual Tours
August 2021
30 Why Compromise16 Dundee Property Prices2 Property Market Booming in Angus
July 2021
6 Maximise Sale Prospects
June 2021
11 Client Protection
May 2021
31 Tips for Property5 Improving your property for sale.
April 2021
5 Charity Wills Campaign
March 2021
22 The Friday Move. 11 Affordability
February 2021
15 Property expert believes sales are only restricted by the number of homes coming to market8 February Market Comment
January 2021
25 Moving before Retirement18 The Independent Choice8 January Market Report
December 2020
23 Starting the New Year with thousands of prospective buyers
November 2020
9 Property Improvements
October 2020
9 October Market Comment
September 2020
14 September Market Comment
August 2020
23 Property Market Update7 Property market boom set to last three to six months
June 2020
21 Market Comment
April 2020
27 Property Market Update8 Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 - Impact on the private rented sector
February 2020
24 Leap Year10 February Market Comment3 Social Media Marketing
January 2020
27 Downsizing Dilemma8 A New Dawn6 Is A “For Sale” Board Really Necessary?”
December 2019
13 Election Result, What it means for property9 December Market Update
November 2019
18 November Market Comment4 “Timing Your Sale for the Market”
October 2019
21 Lighting Up14 October Market Comment
September 2019
23 September Market Comment9 Showing Buyers Your Property
August 2019
27 “What About The Children?” 12 Is it worth extending?
July 2019
29 Courteous Buyer15 Alarming News!1 Local staff, local knowledge
June 2019
3 “A Feeling of Space”
May 2019
6 Working with Builders
April 2019
27 “What Does Viewing Feedback Really Mean?”15 The Right People1 “Old Money’s Influence”
March 2019
4 Property Market Update
February 2019
21 Thorntons raise £62,000 for Cash for Kids16 Moving Distance5 A Grand Entrance
January 2019
28 “Home”5 2019 - The Year Ahead.
October 2018
3 “Should I, Shouldn’t I?”
September 2018
17 Other Forces11 Act Now for a Xmas Move. 3 Supporting the Fun-Fuelled Club
August 2018
31 Market Comment13 “Plans for a Successful Sale”2 Interest Rate Rise Aug 2018 - Market Comment
July 2018
24 “Ten Branches - Our Secret Weapon”
June 2018
17 “Why Use An Estate Agent At All?”2 The Skilled Agent
May 2018
14 “Waiting in Hope?”
April 2018
16 “Buying an Unmodernised Property”
March 2018
19 “Will the Internet Replace Estate Agents?”
February 2018
5 “Identity Caution When Moving House”
January 2018
22 “How Long Has It Been On The Market?”8 “Valuation Versus Value”
November 2017
13 “Defects And Disputes – Should I Disclose Them?”2 The first interest rate rise in a decade
October 2017
16 “Selling Tips for Autumn”1 “Might Sell, Might Not!”
September 2017
25 “Prepare to Paint”16 “Ask the Expert!”
July 2017
31 “Working from Home”24 “Something to Shout About”
June 2017
26 “Improvements – Are They Worth It?”21 “Location, Location”10 Agents’ Skills in Demand
May 2017
22 “Deciding on Price” (Part Two)10 “Deciding On Price” (Part One)
April 2017
24 “Advertising for Results” 11 “Put your back into it”1 “Who’s Choosing Your Home?”
March 2017
20 “Hit The Road”13 “Catch 22 –Should I Sell First or Buy?”6 “Working In Partnership with your Estate Agent”
February 2017
27 FEB REPORT - “Slow Growth with Strong Demand”20 “Why Overpricing May Leave You Out Of Pocket”13 “Cupid the Estate Agent?”7 “How Long Has It Been On The Market?”
January 2017
29 Market report – January 20178 “How Many Should We See?”
December 2016
17 “Should Your House Have Sold By Now?”5 “Removal Planning”
November 2016
27 “A Winter’s Sale?”21 “Distorted Opinions?”14 “The Advertising Myth”7 “A Move by Christmas?”
October 2016
31 “Finding the Right Property”17 “Relative Values”
September 2016
26 “It’s Not Just About Selling”19 A Proactive Approach Essential5 Avoid Virtual Tours
August 2016
29 How Serious is my Buyer?22 Clutter Costs !15 The Feelgood Factor8 The Agent you Prefer - at the Right Price
July 2016
25 Choosing Your Solicitor18 Should I Sell During the Summer Holidays?1 What does Brexit mean for the Scottish property market
June 2016
17 5 methods for improving your kerb appeal17 Tips for saving for a deposit
May 2016
30 Property perfect move for Natalie
January 2016
29 Thorntons Top after ESPC Mystery Shop
December 2015
22 Increased buyer demand will drive house prices up during 201620 Property solicitor gives local food bank a boost15 Second home levy will boost Dundee property market
November 2015
11 Unique opportunity to buy a stunning new home in an award-winning development in St Andrews
September 2015
16 Tayside property specialists lead the way in boom time

Our Home Mover Essentials