Real estate professionals offer a number of explanations for a long selling time in areas where other homes are moving quickly – including poorly maintained, messy houses; pet smells; and artificial deodorizers that raise the suspicion of prospective buyers.

Property owners who refuse to make themselves scarce when agents show the home and who place tight limits on when the house can be shown – such as requiring the listing agent to be present, demanding a full day’s notice before appointments and restricting showing hours during the weekend –will naturally delay offers on the home and a sale.