Thinking about buying or selling in Dexter but unsure what today’s numbers really mean for your move? You are not alone. The market has shifted over the last few years, and it helps to look at the right indicators instead of headlines. In this guide, you will learn the core metrics that matter in Dexter, how local context shapes them, and what those signals mean for your strategy. Let’s dive in.
Key metrics to watch
Months of supply
Months of supply tells you how long the current inventory would take to sell at the recent pace of sales. It is calculated as active listings divided by average monthly closed sales. As a rule of thumb, under 3 months often favors sellers, around 3 to 6 is more balanced, and over 6 leans toward buyers.
For a small market like Dexter, use a 6 to 12 month window to smooth out volatility. Seasonal swings matter. Spring typically looks tighter than late fall, even in the same year.
Days on market (DOM)
Days on market measures how long it takes a home to go under contract. Many sources report median DOM, which is less affected by outliers. Short DOM signals strong demand or limited inventory, while longer DOM can point to softer demand or pricing that needs adjustment.
DOM is also influenced by pricing strategy, property condition, and relisting. Look at DOM for closed sales to understand what buyers recently acted on, not just the age of active listings.
List-to-sale price ratio
This ratio shows the final sale price compared with the original list price. Over 100 percent means buyers are bidding above asking. Between 98 and 100 percent suggests sales close near list price, and below 98 percent indicates more negotiation.
Be sure you are comparing to the original list price, not the final list price after reductions. Entry-price homes can behave differently than higher-end properties, so view the ratio by price tier when possible.
Dexter and Washtenaw context
Dexter sits within the Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor area market, which is influenced by regional employment, commuting patterns, and local planning. Many residents work in and around Ann Arbor. Employment trends and hiring shifts can affect demand, which you can track through the Bureau of Labor Statistics regional updates.
Local planning and supply also matter. Watch the City of Dexter website for planning and permit updates that may add new homes in certain neighborhoods. County-level tools and records on the Washtenaw County site can help you see transaction activity and the pace of permits over time.
For a broader population and housing baseline, the U.S. Census QuickFacts for Washtenaw County offers context on growth that helps frame longer-term demand.
Seasonality and small-sample effects
Dexter has fewer monthly sales than larger cities. A handful of transactions can skew numbers in a single month. Use 12-month rolling views for months of supply and median price, and compare year over year to see sustained trends.
Seasonality is normal. Spring tends to bring more new listings and faster sales, while late fall and winter can show higher months of supply and longer DOM.
Mortgage rates and buying power
Rates shape how far your budget stretches. Keep an eye on the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey to understand current 30-year fixed rate averages. When rates rise, purchasing power can dip, which may increase DOM and ease the list-to-sale ratio in some price bands. When rates stabilize or fall, demand can pick back up.
What the numbers mean for you
If months of supply is low (seller’s market)
- Sellers: You have leverage. Price near market comparables, prepare the home fully before listing, and expect strong interest early. Clean presentation and thoughtful staging can amplify results.
- Buyers: Be ready before you tour. Get a full preapproval, know your top priorities, and move quickly when you find a fit. Keep your offer clean and focus on certainty for the seller.
If months of supply is moderate (balanced)
- Sellers: Price competitively and focus on the details that make your home stand out. Expect normal negotiations around repairs or closing timelines.
- Buyers: You have room to negotiate. Ask for inspections, consider standard contingencies, and compare options in your price band.
If months of supply is high (buyer’s market)
- Sellers: Plan for more time on market and be open to price or concession strategies. Staging and selective improvements can reduce days on market.
- Buyers: You can negotiate on price, repairs, or seller-paid closing costs. Take time to compare and do not feel pressured to waive key protections.
Reading DOM and list-to-sale together
- Short DOM with ratios above 100 percent points to competition. Non-price terms like closing speed or appraisal gap coverage may matter.
- Long DOM with ratios under 98 percent signals softer demand. Sellers should revisit pricing and presentation, and buyers can be patient.
- If DOM looks short but the ratio is low, check for relistings or price reductions that may be masking time on market.
How to check your price band
You will get the clearest view by looking at your specific segment in Dexter.
- Gather the basics for the last 6 to 12 months. Focus on active listings, new listings, closed sales, median sale price, median DOM, and list-to-sale ratio in your price band.
- Calculate months of supply. Divide the current active listings by the average monthly closed sales for the period.
- Review trends by quarter. Look at year-over-year comparisons rather than month to month.
- Compare city and county. Check how Dexter stacks up against Washtenaw County to see whether your area is tighter or looser than the region.
- Add a mortgage rate snapshot. Use the Freddie Mac PMMS so you can connect buying power to current pricing and DOM.
If you want a quick, accurate snapshot, ask for a Comparative Market Analysis built on local MLS data and recent closed sales. MLS data is the most reliable for city-level months of supply, DOM, and list-to-sale ratio. Public sources like the National Association of REALTORS and county records help frame the bigger picture, but MLS gives the most precise local read.
Mini glossary
- Months of supply: The number of months it would take to sell current inventory at the recent sales pace.
- Days on market (DOM): The number of days from listing to contract or sale, depending on the source.
- List-to-sale price ratio: The sale price divided by the original list price, shown as a percentage.
What sellers in Dexter should do now
- Price to the market you see, not the one you remember. The right price in week one sets the tone.
- Maximize presentation. Staging, strong photography, and a tight launch window help your home stand out when buyers get listing alerts.
- Watch DOM and feedback. If you are not seeing showings or offers in line with local DOM, adjust quickly.
- Use recent closed sales. Compare against homes nearby with similar features from the last 3 to 6 months.
What buyers in Dexter should do now
- Get fully preapproved and know your monthly comfort zone at today’s rate environment.
- Focus on clean, timely offers in competitive pockets, and lean on contingencies where the market is balanced.
- Track new listings, price reductions, and DOM by segment to time your move.
- Line up your inspectors and contractors early so you can move fast when a home fits.
A short, local market brief for you
If you would like a neighborhood-level read on Dexter, request a brief that includes months of supply, median DOM, and list-to-sale ratios for your price band. We build these using the local MLS and Washtenaw County records, and we segment by property type to keep the results relevant.
If you are selling, we can pair that data with staging guidance and a pricing plan so your listing launches strong. If you are buying, we will map the numbers to a clear offer strategy.
Ready for a local perspective you can use? Connect with Darby Kolano for a personalized market brief, or simply reach out to Request Your Free Home Valuation and we will get to work.
FAQs
Which number shows buyer or seller advantage in Dexter?
- Months of supply is the simplest signal. Under about 3 months often favors sellers, around 3 to 6 is balanced, and over 6 leans toward buyers in many markets.
How do mortgage rates affect Dexter’s market trends?
- Rates influence buying power. When rates rise, demand can cool and DOM may lengthen; when rates fall, demand can pick up. Track averages using the Freddie Mac PMMS.
Why do Dexter numbers swing month to month?
- Dexter is a smaller market. A few sales can shift averages, so use 6 to 12 month windows and compare year over year to see real trends.
Should sellers worry if the list-to-sale ratio dips under 100 percent?
- Not automatically. If homes in your price band are taking longer and closing below list, price sensitivity is higher. Pair smart pricing with strong presentation to stay competitive.
What sources should I use to verify local data?
- Use MLS for the most accurate Dexter-level figures, then layer in county records, U.S. Census QuickFacts for Washtenaw County, and the National Association of REALTORS for definitions and broader trends.
