Understanding Days on Market in Idaho Falls Real Estate

Is the Idaho Falls market moving fast or slow right now? If you are trying to set a list price or decide how aggressive to be with an offer, two simple metrics can help you read the room: Days on Market and Months of Supply. This guide explains what they mean, how to calculate them for Idaho Falls and Bonneville County, and how to use them to shape pricing, timing, and negotiation. Let’s dive in.

What DOM means in Idaho Falls

Days on Market (DOM) is the number of days a property is listed in the local MLS before it goes under contract. Some systems track to contract, while others use the closing date. You may also see Cumulative DOM (CDOM), which totals time across relists of the same property.

DOM you see on public sites can differ from MLS numbers because of relists and data feeds. In our area, check how the Greater Idaho Falls Board of REALTORS and the regional MLS define DOM versus CDOM. Confirm whether price changes or relisting rules reset the public-facing clock.

As a rule of thumb, a median DOM under about 30 days signals a faster market with stronger demand. DOM above 60 to 90 days usually points to softer demand and more room for negotiation. Local breakpoints vary by price band and property type, so always compare like with like.

What Months of Supply tells you

Months of Supply (MOS) estimates how long it would take to sell all current active listings at the recent sales pace. The basic formula is:

• MOS = Active listings ÷ Average monthly sales

To get average monthly sales, divide closed sales over a selected period by the number of months in that period. A 12‑month window smooths seasonality. A 1 to 3 month window shows recent momentum but can be noisy.

Helpful heuristics used across the industry:

• Under 3 months: strong seller’s market
• 3 to 6 months: balanced market
• Over 6 months: buyer’s market

How to calculate Idaho Falls DOM and MOS

You can pull these metrics from the local MLS, Idaho REALTORS market snapshots, and county records. Here is a simple process you can follow or ask your agent to run for you:

1. Choose your filters: Idaho Falls city or Bonneville County, property type, price band, and whether to include new construction.
2. Pick a time window for sales pace: 1–3 months (recent momentum), 3–6 months (medium term), or 12 months (smooths seasonality).
3. Pull the current count of Active listings for your chosen filters.
4. Pull Closed sales for the period you chose.
5. Compute Average monthly sales = Closed sales ÷ Months in the period.
6. Compute MOS = Active listings ÷ Average monthly sales.
7. Report the median DOM for the same property set and period.

Hypothetical example for Idaho Falls single‑family homes:

• Active listings: 180
• Closed sales past 12 months: 720
• Average monthly sales: 720 ÷ 12 = 60
• MOS: 180 ÷ 60 = 3.0 months (roughly balanced by common thresholds)
• Median DOM: 32 days (relatively brisk)

Label your figures and date-stamp them when you report them. Always note your data source, time window, and what you included or excluded.

Reading the numbers: leverage and timing

Low MOS and fast DOM: seller advantage

When supply is tight and homes move quickly, sellers often see multiple offers and stronger sale‑to‑list ratios. Pricing can lean slightly above recent comparable sales to test demand. Buyers compete with clean offers, short timelines, and proof of funds or preapproval.

Balanced MOS and moderate DOM

In a balanced setting, price tightly to market comps and expect a normal showing cadence. Modest concessions, flexible closing dates, or targeted price adjustments can help achieve your timing goals. Buyers can use standard contingencies and negotiate based on inspection findings.

High MOS and slow DOM: buyer advantage

When supply outpaces demand, homes linger and price reductions rise. Buyers gain leverage to request credits, repairs, and longer due diligence. Sellers should consider sharper pricing, staging, and incentives to reduce DOM and stand out.

Price bands and neighborhoods matter

Citywide averages can hide the story. Entry-level homes often move faster than upper-tier properties. New subdivisions with active builder inventory can show higher MOS because build timelines and release schedules change the pace.

Compare homes by price band and property type. Use the same filters when you compare Idaho Falls city neighborhoods with areas on the county outskirts. If new construction dominates a price band, analyze it separately so builder release patterns do not skew your read on resale homes.

Seasonality and local drivers to watch

Idaho Falls typically sees a spring listing surge and slower winter months. A 12‑month look helps you see through those swings. Employment trends tied to energy, healthcare, and the Idaho National Laboratory can also affect demand. Mortgage rate shifts change affordability and can speed up or slow down both DOM and MOS.

New building permits and active subdivision activity add supply. Track these along with active and pending counts to stay ahead of turning points.

Practical tips for buyers

• Get fully preapproved and be ready to act quickly when MOS is low and DOM is short.
• Use escalation terms and tight timelines only after weighing risk. Do not waive critical protections without a plan.
• In higher MOS segments, ask for repairs or credits and use longer inspection and appraisal windows to avoid overpaying.
• Watch for price reductions and listings with high DOM. Those sellers may be more flexible on terms.

Practical tips for sellers

• Price to the market you are in. In fast segments, you can test demand slightly above recent comps. In slower segments, lead with value to earn showings.
• Expect a typical time on market based on the current median DOM for your price band. Plan your move and prep accordingly.
• Use professional marketing, staging, and clear disclosures to keep DOM low. Momentum matters.
• If you need a reduction, consider an early, targeted adjustment after 1 to 3 weeks based on feedback and showings, rather than waiting months.

Common reporting pitfalls in Idaho Falls

• DOM rules vary. Relisting can reset public DOM in some systems, but the MLS often tracks CDOM that does not fully reset. Know the difference.
• MOS depends on the time window you use. Short windows catch momentum but are volatile. A 12‑month window is smoother but slower to reflect change.
• Citywide averages can be misleading. Always segment by price band, property type, and neighborhood.
• Some sales, such as certain new construction or for sale by owner, may not show in MLS data. That can shift your read on true supply and absorption.

How to get current Idaho Falls numbers

For the most accurate counts of active listings, closed sales, DOM, and MOS, use the local MLS through the Greater Idaho Falls Board of REALTORS or request a custom report with methodology noted. Idaho REALTORS market snapshots, Bonneville County permit data, and public aggregator sites can provide helpful context. Be mindful that public sites may calculate time on market differently than the MLS.

If you want a clear, date‑stamped read for your specific price range and neighborhood, reach out for a tailored report and a simple game plan.

You deserve decisions backed by local data and practical advice. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Idaho Falls, partner with a local advisor who blends neighborhood knowledge with modern marketing and clear communication. Schedule your free consultation with Adam Walz, and get a custom DOM and MOS snapshot for your move.

FAQs

In Idaho Falls, what do DOM and MOS tell me about offer timing?

• DOM shows how fast homes go under contract, while MOS shows whether supply or demand has the upper hand; low DOM and low MOS favor quick, strong offers, while higher numbers allow more negotiation time.

How do I compare DOM and MOS by Idaho Falls neighborhood or price?

• Use the same filters for property type and price band, then calculate MOS and median DOM for each area side by side to see where the market is tightest.

Do price reductions increase DOM and hurt my sale in Bonneville County?

• DOM keeps counting while on market, so late reductions can lead to higher DOM; timely, data‑driven adjustments after early feedback often re‑ignite interest without signaling distress.

Can relisting reset DOM in the local MLS for Idaho Falls?

• Public DOM may reset with a relist in some systems, but the MLS often tracks CDOM that reflects total time; always follow MLS rules and disclose history to maintain buyer trust.

How should buyers read a home with very low DOM that still has no sale in Idaho Falls?

• Ask why it has not gone pending yet: review pricing, condition, title or inspection issues, and any recent relist history before you decide how aggressive to be.

When is the best season to buy or sell in Idaho Falls?

• Spring often brings more listings and faster movement, while late fall and winter can offer buyers more negotiation room; use a 12‑month MOS trend to guide timing.

Where can I get current DOM and MOS for Idaho Falls?

• Request a custom MLS pull from a local agent, review Idaho REALTORS market snapshots, and check county permit data, noting that public site methods may differ from MLS rules.