Days on Market (DOM)

Days on Market (DOM) is the number of consecutive days a property listing has been active on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) before it sells or expires. DOM is a market statistic used by buyers, sellers, and licensees to assess pricing and demand, but it is not a term defined in the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, or RESA Rules. The calculation methodology is determined by the real estate board operating the MLS® system in a given area. Verify current DOM calculation rules with your REALTOR® or the local real estate board.

The Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, and RESA Rules require licensees to deal fairly and disclose known material facts, but DOM itself is not explicitly named as a mandatory disclosure item. DOM is typically visible on MLS® listings and may be considered material information depending on context. If you have questions about what must be disclosed in a specific transaction, verify with a BC lawyer, notary, or your managing broker.

MLS® DOM counts are governed by the rules of the local real estate board (e.g., Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Victoria Real Estate Board), not by provincial statute. Some boards allow DOM to reset if a listing is withdrawn and re-listed after a minimum period (often 90 days as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), but policies vary. Manipulating DOM to mislead buyers may violate the duty of honesty and fairness under the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, and BCFSA Rules; verify current board MLS® rules and professional conduct standards with your REALTOR® or BCFSA.

Days on Market does not directly affect the amount of property transfer tax owed under the Property Transfer Tax Act, RSBC 1996, c. 378. PTT is calculated on the fair market value or purchase price (whichever is higher) at the time of registration, regardless of how long the property was listed. Verify current PTT rates and exemptions with the BC Ministry of Finance or a BC lawyer or notary before completing your transaction.

There is no legal definition of 'stale' or a statutory DOM threshold in BC real estate law. High DOM may reflect market conditions, pricing, property condition, or other factors, but it does not create any automatic legal consequence under the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, or other provincial statutes. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence, including inspections and title searches, regardless of DOM; verify any concerns with a BC lawyer, notary, or home inspector.

Negotiation strategy is a business decision, not governed by statute. The Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, requires licensees to act in their client's best interests and present all offers, but does not prescribe negotiation tactics based on DOM. High DOM may indicate seller motivation, but each seller's circumstances differ. Discuss negotiation approaches with your buyer's representative and verify contract terms with a BC lawyer or notary before submitting an offer.

The Home Flipping Tax Act, SBC 2024 (effective January 1, 2025 — verify current), taxes profit on residential property sold within two years (730 days as of 2026-07-27 — verify current) of acquisition, based on holding period, not MLS® Days on Market. The Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act, SBC 2018, c. 46, applies to underutilized residential properties in designated areas, also unrelated to DOM. Verify current rules and your filing obligations with a BC lawyer, notary, or licensed tax professional before acting.

MLS® Days on Market data for active and sold listings are typically accessible to licensed REALTORS® and, for individual listings, often visible to the public on realtor.ca and brokerage websites. Aggregate DOM statistics (e.g., neighbourhood or city averages) are published by real estate boards and industry analysts, but are not government records under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For detailed or historical DOM data, contact your REALTOR® or the relevant local real estate board.

The BCFSA regulates real estate licensees under the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42, and RESA Rules, including duties of honesty, fairness, and disclosure, but does not prescribe the technical calculation of Days on Market. DOM methodology is set by the real estate board operating the MLS® system (e.g., REBGV, VREB). If you believe DOM has been misrepresented in a way that violates professional conduct standards, verify your complaint options with BCFSA or a BC lawyer.

Lenders and appraisers may consider Days on Market as one factor in assessing market conditions and property value, but lending criteria are set by federally regulated financial institutions under the Bank Act, SC 1991, c. 46, and CMHC underwriting guidelines, not BC provincial law. High DOM does not automatically disqualify a property from financing, but may prompt additional scrutiny. Verify mortgage and appraisal requirements with your lender, mortgage broker, or the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) before finalizing your purchase.