MLS Status & Days on Market: The Rules Behind the Numbers

MLS statuses aren’t just labels, and Days on Market isn’t just a number. Together, they shape how your listing shows up in Matrix, how activity is interpreted, and what your clients think is happening in real time.

And because the rules have nuance, the same questions come up again and again.

The “Wait… How Does That Work?” Questions

• Active Contingent vs. Pending — what’s the real difference?
• HOLD status — does DOM keep ticking or pause?
• Cancelled listings — when do they actually disappear from Matrix?

If you’ve ever hesitated before a status change (or had to explain DOM to a client who’s watching Zillow like a hawk), this is your shortcut.

Your Go-To Reference Is Here

We put everything in one place so you don’t have to guess, dig, or ask around. This guide covers:

• MLS Status definitions (the “what it means” piece)
• DOM rules (the “does the clock keep running?” piece)
• Purge timelines + Matrix visibility (the “when does it drop off?” piece)

Save This Like You Save Your Best Templates

Bookmark it now, and the next time a transaction gets complicated, you’ll have the answer in seconds.

MLS Status Definition and Purge Rules Guide

Because the fastest way to sound like the expert in the room is to actually have the rulebook.