How to Spot Opportunity in Overlooked Listings

When you see a home that’s been on the market for a while, it’s easy to assume something must be wrong. A few years ago, that logic made sense—homes were selling in days, and anything that lingered raised red flags.

But today’s market has shifted. Inventory is higher, buyers have more choices, and homes are taking longer to sell across the board. In fact, around 70+ days on the market is now fairly normal for this time of year. It only feels “slow” compared to the ultra-competitive frenzy of recent years.

We did the video a few years ago and it goes great with this week 

Most of the time, a home that’s been sitting isn’t a problem property. Common reasons include:

• The seller priced it too high at first

• Weak or unflattering listing photos

• Bad timing when it hit the market

• Nearby listings pulling attention away

None of these are deal-breakers—and many are fixable.

Even when a home does have issues, they usually show up during the inspection. That doesn’t always mean you should walk away. It can create leverage to negotiate a better price or ask for repairs. In many cases, these overlooked listings offer some of the best value in today’s market.

The key is knowing which homes are real opportunities and which ones aren’t. A local agent can review disclosures, pricing history, and neighborhood trends to help you spot hidden gems and avoid costly mistakes.

Bottom Line:
A home sitting on the market isn’t always a warning sign. Sometimes it’s an overlooked opportunity. If you want help identifying which homes are worth a second look (and which ones to skip), let’s talk.