A Seattle Listing That Sat… Then Sold in 7 Days

By Matt Stark

Matt Stark is a top 1% REALTOR® in Seattle with over 19 years of experience. A Seattle native, he began his career in 1999 as an investor before transitioning to full-time real estate.

A home sitting on the market for over 100 days usually sends the wrong message. Buyers start to assume something is wrong, even when the house itself is in great shape. I saw this firsthand with a property that checked all the boxes. It was in a strong neighborhood, showed beautifully, and had no major issues. Yet it kept getting overlooked.

The turning point came when we stopped guessing and started aligning the home with what the market was actually telling us. We adjusted the pricing, improved how the home was presented to buyers, and made sure it stood out for the right reasons. Within a week, the momentum shifted completely, and the home received a full-price cash offer.

This experience highlights the same three factors I talk about with every seller. When these are in sync, homes sell. When they’re not, listings tend to stall.

Why long market times are a red flag. In this case, the home had been listed for over 100 days when the average time on market was closer to 30. That gap alone signaled that something was off. The house itself was not the issue. It was in excellent condition, showed well, and sat in a desirable neighborhood. The problem was the home’s positioning in the market.

How pricing creates momentum. Once I sat down with the sellers, we took a close look at the pricing strategy. The home had been listed well above what buyers were willing to pay, based on advice they had received previously. It was not about being unrealistic. It was simply a price that did not reflect current market behavior. When we adjusted the price to align with market signals, buyer interest picked up almost immediately.

Why marketing still matters. Pricing alone was not enough. We also changed how the home was presented to buyers. That meant clear positioning, strong visuals, and marketing the property directly to buyers actively searching in that price range. Once the home was presented as an A-level option within its market segment, it began to attract the attention it deserved.

What happens when everything lines up. After sitting on the market for more than 100 days, the home received a full-price cash offer in just seven days. The transaction was smooth, the closing was easy, and the sellers were able to move forward without added stress. Nothing about the home itself changed. Only the pricing strategy and marketing approach did.

The three things that get a home sold. This sale reinforced a simple truth. Homes sell when price, marketing, and condition are aligned. If one of those is off, issues tend to follow. When all three work together, the process becomes far more predictable and far less frustrating.

If you have questions about pricing your home, understanding the current market, or identifying adjustments that may help your listing gain traction, feel free to reach out. You can call 206-940-4557, email matt@mattstarkrealestate.com, or visit searchhomesnw.com. Sometimes a small shift is all it takes to change everything.