415 Homes Have Been Sitting 14+ Days in Essex County — Here’s What That Really Means
There are 415 homes in Essex County that have been on the market more than 14 days.
That one data point explains a lot about why today’s real estate market feels confusing — not just for buyers, but for homeowners too.
A few years ago, many of these homes would have sold almost immediately. Multiple offers, very little negotiation, and prices moving quickly. Today, even strong, well-priced homes are taking longer.
This doesn’t mean the market is crashing.
It means the market is recalibrating.
And recalibration always shows up first in time, not headlines.
Sellers remember a very different market
Many homeowners list their homes today with expectations shaped by what they saw just a few years ago:
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homes selling in days
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bidding wars
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waived contingencies
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prices climbing fast
So when a home doesn’t sell right away, the natural question becomes:
Where are all the buyers?
The buyers are still there — but their behavior has changed.
What the local data is actually showing
Across Essex County, the pattern is consistent:
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Homes are still selling
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But they’re taking longer
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And price adjustments are more common
In towns like Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, Newburyport, and Amesbury, average days on market are higher than during the peak frenzy years. Sale-to-list price ratios have softened, and more sellers are responding to feedback rather than setting the market.
The takeaway is simple:
Homes aren’t failing to sell — they’re just taking longer, and expectations are adjusting.
Picture this from the seller’s side
You’re a homeowner in New England.
It’s freezing cold.
The holidays are here.
Your house has been on the market 14+ days.
You’re cleaning constantly.
Waiting for feedback.
Dreaming about where you’re headed next.
And it’s not fun.
Coordinating showings, keeping the house spotless, leaving for open houses, and living in a constant state of “ready” is exhausting — especially this time of year.
That’s why when someone lists a home in late fall or winter, before the holidays, it’s rarely casual.
They’re usually serious about moving, or they have to move.
That motivation matters.
What 14+ days on market really tells buyers
This is the part many buyers misunderstand.
A home can be:
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well priced
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in great condition
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thoughtfully maintained
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in a desirable location
And still not sell right away.
Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the house at all — except that buyer behavior has shifted.
When that happens, leverage starts to quietly return.
What opportunity looks like in today’s market
Opportunity today doesn’t usually mean “cheap.”
It means flexibility.
That flexibility can show up as:
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less competition from other buyers
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price adjustments after feedback
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seller credits to lower monthly mortgage costs
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flexible closing timelines
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furniture or extras included
In some transactions, more than one of these advantages can happen at the same time.
This is how deals get done in a thinking market.
The homes I’d be watching if I were buying right now
If I were a buyer in today’s market, these are exactly the homes I’d want to know about:
👉 415 Essex County homes on the market 14+ days
https://tinyurl.com/Homes14days
These listings aren’t “stale.”
They’re informative.
They show where expectations are adjusting and where real conversations are starting to shift.
And if you include nearby Southern New Hampshire, the pool of opportunity grows even larger.
A note for homeowners (even if you’re not selling)
This data matters to you, too.
Understanding:
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how long homes are taking to sell
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where price changes are happening
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what buyers are responding to
helps you protect future pricing power and avoid chasing the market later.
The strongest sellers don’t react — they prepare.
The bigger picture
This isn’t a panic market.
It’s not a frenzy either.
It’s a thinking market.
And in thinking markets, the people who do best aren’t the loudest — they’re the most informed.
If you want to talk through what this means for your town, your price range, or your plans, I’m always happy to share perspective.
No pressure.
Just clarity.
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About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is the founder of the Lisa Sevajian Group, serving Essex County, the Merrimack Valley, and Southern New Hampshire.
With over 1000+ in closed residential real estate sales, Lisa is known for her data-driven, negotiation-focused approach and her ability to help clients navigate changing markets with confidence. She has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, The Boston Globe, and NewsCenter 5, and her team consistently ranks among the top performers in Massachusetts.
Lisa’s work centers on one principle: clarity beats hype. Whether clients are buying, selling, or simply paying attention, her role is to translate market data into clear, usable insight that leads to better decisions.
