Days on market can mean "listed to under contract," "listed to closed," or something else — Glendale shows about 26 days to contract while Greater Phoenix reports 78 days on market, and both can be accurate.

A seller showed me two market reports last week and asked, "Which one is right?" One said homes were selling in under a month. The other said nearly three months. Both were real reports. They were just measuring different things.

If you're watching the market as a buyer or seller, this is one of the most useful things to understand.

Why Do Days-on-Market Numbers Disagree?

Because "days on market" has no single definition. Some reports count the days from listing to an accepted offer. Others count listing to closing, which includes the escrow period. Some include relisted homes; some reset the clock when a home is relisted. Different data providers also cover different time periods and property types.

What Do the Local Numbers Look Like?

Here are two real examples, and the point isn't to compare them directly. One analysis of Glendale sales over the last six months, based on about 1,245 closings, showed a median of about 26 days from listing to under contract, and then about 25 more days from contract to closing. For Litchfield Park, a 12-month analysis showed about 38 days to contract and about 21 days from contract to closing. Meanwhile, Phoenix REALTORS® reported that Greater Phoenix single-family homes averaged 78 days on market year to date through August 2026, up from 73 a year earlier.

Those numbers can all be accurate. They cover different places, time periods, and definitions, and "median" and "average" behave differently when a few homes sit a long time.

Why Does Median vs. Average Matter?

A median is the middle number, so a handful of homes that sit for months won't change it much. An average adds everything and divides, so long-sitting listings pull it up. If a report quotes an average, expect it to look slower than a median for the same market.

What Should Buyers and Sellers Do With This?

For buyers: look at how long a home has actually been listed and whether it's been relisted or reduced, instead of relying on a citywide number. For sellers: ask how your agent defines days on market and whether the figure is for your neighborhood, your price range, and your home type. A price-range-specific number is usually much more useful than a city number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "days on market" mean? It's the number of days a home has been listed for sale, but definitions vary — some reports measure listing to accepted offer, others listing to closing.

Why do two market reports show different days on market? They may use different definitions, time periods, areas, or statistics such as median versus average.

How long do homes take to sell in Glendale? One six-month analysis showed a median of about 26 days from listing to under contract and about 25 more days from contract to closing; figures vary by source.

How long are homes taking to sell across Greater Phoenix? Phoenix REALTORS® reported an average of 78 days on market year to date through August 2026, up from 73 days a year earlier.

If you'd like the numbers for your own neighborhood and price range, I'm happy to pull them for you — a short conversation, no obligation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Arizona Department of Real Estate advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Gracie Vega, Realty One Group, AZ License #SA514613000.

Gracie Vega
Realty One Group
License #SA514613000
602.348.8773
gracie@vegarealestate.com

Gracie Vega is an experienced Arizona real estate professional with The Vega Real Estate Group at Realty ONE Group, serving Phoenix and the West Valley, including Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale, and Tolleson.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property, exploring new construction, or relocating to Arizona, Gracie provides local real estate guidance in English and Spanish.

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