Days on market (DOM) is the number of days a business has been listed for sale. A high DOM often signals overpricing, weak financials, or an issue that scared off earlier buyers, but it can also mean a motivated seller open to negotiation.
Worked example
| Listing | Days on market | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh listing at 2.9× SDE | 14 | Competitive; move fast |
| Same-size listing at 2.9× SDE | 310 | Likely negotiable below ask |
The 310-day listing may accept well under a 2.7× benchmark, but first find out why it hasn't sold.
Why it matters when buying a business
DOM is a free negotiating signal. A long-sitting listing gives you leverage, but the same length can hide a real problem, customer concentration, declining revenue, or a difficult seller. Use it to prioritize your buy box matches, then let due diligence tell you whether the discount is opportunity or trap.
