Most agents watch prices like hawks.
But the most important market indicator isn’t price — it’s speed, and the data proves it.
If you wait for prices to move, you’re already late.
Markets signal change through speed first, long before prices react.
Speed shows buyer urgency, seller confidence, and incoming demand waves—all in real time.
Why Speed Beats Price Every Time
Price is a lagging indicator.
Speed is a leading indicator.
When demand increases, buyers don’t immediately push prices up. Instead, they move faster.
This is where Days on Market (DOM) becomes critical.
If listings drop from 60 days on market to 30 → a demand wave is incoming.
No headlines needed.
No price changes required.
Just speed.
The Data Behind Days on Market
Across multiple real estate cycles, one pattern stays consistent:
- DOM falls before price appreciation
- DOM rises before price corrections
- Stable prices + faster sales = hidden momentum
That’s why the most important market indicator isn’t price — it’s speed when identifying early opportunities.
How Agents Use Speed to Win
Smart agents track DOM weekly, not monthly.
They look for:
- Faster absorption rates
- Listings selling below average DOM
- New projects outperforming area benchmarks
This helps them:
- Price listings more accurately
- Advise investors earlier
- Spot overheating zones before the market talks about them
Speed turns data into advantage.
Speed vs AI Predictions
Even advanced tools struggle when they ignore market speed.
This explains [When does AI make mistakes?] — especially when algorithms rely too heavily on historical prices instead of live demand signals.
Speed is dynamic.
Price is historical.
Speed & Off-Plan Returns
For investors chasing fast exits, DOM matters even more.
A project may look profitable on paper, but if surrounding inventory isn’t moving fast, liquidity becomes the real risk.
This is exactly why understanding speed is essential in [How to know if an off-plan project fits a fast-return investor.]
Listings That Move Faster
Speed isn’t only market-driven—it’s also psychological.
Certain language patterns reduce buyer hesitation and increase inquiry velocity, which directly impacts DOM.
That’s why agents who master [Three words that instantly boost inquiry rates in a listing:] often outperform even in flat markets.
finally
Prices tell you what already happened.
Speed tells you what’s about to happen.
That’s why the most important market indicator isn’t price — it’s speed.
If you want to read markets like professionals do, stop asking:
“How much did prices change?”
Start asking:
“How fast are properties moving right now?”
Share your area’s Days on Market trend on Aammarha.
Let the data speak—and help others spot demand waves before prices react.
