As of December 1, 2025, more than half of all Bay Area listings have been on the market for over 60 days a strong signal that buyers currently have far more leverage than they realize. While the headlines focus on rates, the real story is sitting inside the Days on Market data. This report from Compass Chief Market Analyst Patrick Carlisle breaks down why so many listings are stagnating and what smart East Bay buyers and sellers can do right now.

“That’s a significant slowdown, not because homes are “bad,” but because many were overpriced early in the fall, and the market has now moved on without them. When a listing crosses the 60–90 day threshold, it often becomes stigmatized, even if nothing is wrong.”

This creates a rare window of opportunity for both sides of the market.

Below is the Compass chart that illustrates the distribution of listings by days on market across the region:

Why So Many Listings Are Sitting
Compass Chief Market Analyst Patrick Carlisle summarizes it clearly:

“The only thing wrong with most of these is that they were overpriced to begin with… Most of these sellers and listing agents are still eager, or even desperate, to sell these listings.”

When a home is priced incorrectly at launch:

• The right buyers never see it.
• The wrong buyers reject it.
• And the listing gets stuck in the “long DOM” cycle.

Once that happens, it’s not just a pricing issue, it’s a psychology issue. Buyers assume something is wrong, even when nothing is.

But the flip side?

Motivated sellers. Real negotiating power. Strategic opportunity.

What This Market Means for Sellers

If your home has been sitting longer than expected, you’re not alone, and you’re not doomed.

Here’s what this data means for you:

1. You may simply be mis-positioned, not “unsellable.”

Most homes sitting 60–180+ days are perfectly good properties caught in a pricing lag.

2. A strategic repositioning can reset momentum.

This may include:

• Re-pricing
• A updated marketing refresh
• A new narrative for the home
• A clear timeline leading into early-spring activity

3. Today’s buyers are informed, value-driven, and patient.

If the market is telling you something, adjusting early is better than chasing price reductions later.

If your home is approaching long-DOM status, reach out, I can review your listing, identify what’s holding it back, and recommend a clear action plan.

What This Market Means for Buyers
This is quietly one of the strongest buyer windows of the entire year.
Carlisle puts it bluntly:

“Don’t overthink it. Throw in aggressive, even very aggressive offers, and see what sticks.”

Why this matters for East Bay buyers:

1. Motivated sellers = real leverage.

Long-DOM listings often have:

• Price flexibility
• Willingness to negotiate
• Less competition
• A desire to close before year-end

2. You may be able to secure a home you previously thought was out of reach.

Many September/October listings were priced for a hotter market than reality delivered.

3. This is a moment to revisit your entire search.

I’m advising my active buyers right now to:

• Re-run their search from scratch
• Include homes with 60+ DOM
• Make strong-but-comfortable offers (even below asking)
• See which sellers say yes

This is how many of my clients end up with deals they never expected.

My Takeaway as a 17-Year East Bay Agent

This season requires clarity and decisiveness.

If your home has been sitting on the market, you’re not alone. Overpricing is the #1 cause of extended days on market, and once a listing hits 60–90+ days, buyers assume something is wrong, even when the only issue is the price. A strategic repositioning, refresh, or re-pricing plan can bring your listing back to life.

I’m currently representing 4 listings and 5 active buyers, with 11 recently sold homes and the patterns are unmistakable:

• Buyers who are active right now have leverage.
• Sellers who adjust get results.
• Homes that reposition correctly still sell quickly.

In a market where nearly half of listings are stagnating, strategy matters more than ever.

Need a Customized Strategy?

Whether you’re preparing to list in 2026 or searching for a value opportunity, I’d be happy to walk you through:

• Which East Bay neighborhoods offer the strongest buyer leverage
• Which long-DOM homes are actually hidden gems
• How to prepare your home so it never falls into the “stuck listing” category
• Vendor referrals for inspections, staging, or prep

Let’s talk about your goals.
You can reach me at:
East Bay (510) 575-0629
Contra Costa (925) 255-5473
@TopEastBayRealtor
topeastbayrealtor.com