Ever scroll through listings in Hurricane and feel lost in the alphabet soup of DOM, MOI, and PPSF? You are not alone. When you understand a few core market terms, you can spot value faster and write smarter offers with confidence. In this guide, you will learn what each metric means, how to get current numbers for Hurricane and Putnam County, and how to use them to time your move and shape your offer. Let’s dive in.
Key market terms, simplified
Days on Market (DOM)
DOM is the number of days between a home’s list date and the date it goes under contract. Some sources track days until pending, others use days until closing. You will usually see average and median DOM. Median helps reduce the effect of outliers.
What it signals: Shorter DOM usually means faster sales and strong demand. Longer DOM can point to slower demand or pricing that needs adjustment.
Months of Inventory (MOI)
MOI tells you how long it would take to sell all current listings at today’s sales pace. It is a supply and demand snapshot.
How it is calculated: MOI = Active listings ÷ Average monthly closed sales. Many pros use the last 3 months or the trailing 12 months.
How to read it:
- Under 3 months = seller’s market
- 3 to 6 months = balanced market
- Over 6 months = buyer’s market
MOI can vary by neighborhood, price band, and property type. Always look at segmented data for Hurricane and wider Putnam County.
Absorption rate
Absorption shows what share of inventory sells in a month. It is tied to MOI.
How it is calculated: Absorption rate (%) = Closed sales in period ÷ Active listings × 100. When you use the same time frame, MOI is the reciprocal of absorption.
List-to-sale ratio
This is the percentage of list price a seller actually receives: Sale price ÷ Original list price × 100. Some reports use the final list price, so confirm the method.
How to read it: Above 100% suggests multiple offers and bidding above list. Around 98% to 100% suggests close negotiation. Lower numbers can indicate softer conditions or concessions.
Price per square foot (PPSF)
PPSF is the sale price divided by finished above-grade square footage. It is useful for quick comparisons among similar homes.
Limitations: PPSF does not capture lot size, bedroom count, basement finish, condition, renovations, or specific location factors. Use recent, comparable homes for a fair read.
How to get Hurricane and Putnam County numbers
You can get reliable, current data from local and public sources. Ask for recent, segmented snapshots.
- Local MLS (WV Regional MLS or the MLS used by Putnam County agents). This is the most authoritative source for DOM, pending dates, closed sales, price histories, and accurate PPSF when square footage is verified.
- Putnam County Assessor and tax records. Use these to confirm lot details, building square footage, and property characteristics.
- Public market trend pages from major portals. These offer quick checks for county and neighborhood trends, including median prices and DOM.
- Professional groups. National and state Realtor associations provide definitions, market snapshots, and methodology guidance.
- Local reports. Broker newsletters and market updates sometimes break down MOI by price band for Hurricane and nearby subdivisions.
- County GIS and floodplain maps. These help you understand risk factors that can affect price and DOM, especially near waterways.
- Title companies and local appraisers. They can help verify comps and PPSF in thin markets.
What to ask your agent for:
- Active, pending, and closed counts for the last 30, 90, and 365 days
- Median DOM for sold and active listings
- MOI by price band and by property type
- Monthly absorption rate
- List-to-sale ratio and the share of sales over list
- Median PPSF for recent solds with sample comps
Hurricane examples and how to read them
The numbers below are hypothetical. Use them to see how the math works, then request current local data before you write an offer.
Example A — Months of Inventory
- Active listings in Hurricane: 60
- Closed sales in the last 90 days: 45, which is 15 per month
- MOI = 60 ÷ 15 = 4 months
Interpretation: About 4 months of inventory suggests a roughly balanced market. Strong listings can still move quickly, but you may not need to waive standard protections.
Example B — Absorption rate
- Average monthly sales: 15
- Active listings: 60
- Absorption = 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25, or 25% of inventory sells each month
- Reciprocal check: 1 ÷ 0.25 = 4 months MOI
Example C — DOM and list-to-sale ratio
- Median DOM for recent Putnam County sales: 22 days
- Median list-to-sale ratio: 99%
Interpretation: Around 3 weeks on market is fairly brisk. A 99% ratio means sellers are often close to asking price. Expect multiple offers on well-priced homes, and negotiation room on homes that are not priced or prepared as well.
Example D — Price per square foot
- Comp A: $280,000, 1,800 sq ft → $155.56 per sq ft
- Comp B: $245,000, 1,500 sq ft → $163.33 per sq ft
- Median of 10 comps: $160 per sq ft
If your target home is 1,650 sq ft, a baseline would be about 1,650 × $160 = $264,000. Then adjust for condition, lot, upgrades, and location specifics.
Turn metrics into a smarter offer
Read the market temperature
- Low MOI under 3 months, short DOM, list-to-sale above 100%
- Be ready for competition. Consider offering at or above list on clean, updated homes. Use strong earnest money, clear timelines, and flexible closing dates when possible.
- Balanced MOI of 3 to 6 months, DOM of 20 to 40 days, list-to-sale around 98% to 101%
- Be competitive without overreaching. Offer near list with standard contingencies. For rural homes in Putnam County, add septic and well inspections and allow time for testing.
- High MOI over 6 months, longer DOM, list-to-sale under 98%
- There is more room to negotiate. Consider below-list offers, closing credits, or repair requests supported by recent comps and inspections.
Segment by price and property type
- Entry-price homes often move faster. Even in a balanced market, lower-price bands can see multiple offers.
- Higher-priced homes and acreage may sit longer. Patience and targeted negotiation can pay off.
Use PPSF as a starting point
- Start with the median PPSF for similar, recent solds. If the home needs $30,000 in updates, adjust your offer to reflect that work. If the home has premium finishes or a superior lot, a premium above the baseline can be justified.
Let DOM shape timing
- New and well-presented listings that align with local demand can move in days. If you like the home, be ready with pre-approval and a clear plan.
- Longer DOM can mean opportunity, but also check for pricing gaps, condition issues, or title items. Ask your agent for the list history and any price changes.
Match urgency to absorption
- High absorption means inventory turns quickly. Have your lender pre-approval and estimates ready so your timelines are competitive.
- Low absorption gives you time to negotiate, schedule inspections, and plan repairs without rushing.
Local checks that matter
- Flood risk and insurance: Verify floodplain status on properties near waterways. Flood risk can affect price, DOM, and insurance costs.
- Septic and well: For rural homes, build in inspections and testing, and confirm repair timelines with your lender and closing team.
- Commutes and zones: Commuter routes to Charleston and Huntington and local school zone boundaries can create micro-markets with different MOI and PPSF. Use neighborhood-level data for accuracy.
- New construction: Builders may price differently than resales. Confirm whether your comps include new builds before you set an offer strategy.
Quick buyer checklist
Use this list as you evaluate a Hurricane or Putnam County home.
- Get a market snapshot for your ZIP and price band: actives, pendings, closed, and median DOM for 30, 90, and 365 days.
- Pull MOI and absorption for your property type and price range.
- Review list-to-sale ratio and the share of sales over list in the last 90 days.
- Confirm recent PPSF comps that match style, age, and condition.
- Check price history, including any reductions and relists.
- Verify square footage against county records and note any discrepancies.
- Confirm floodplain status, septic and well details, and ages of roof, HVAC, and major systems.
- Align financing with market speed. Have pre-approval and realistic timelines.
Work with a local guide
Numbers are powerful when they fit your exact home search. If you want a custom Hurricane and Putnam County snapshot by neighborhood and price band, we can pull it fast and talk through offer options that protect you while keeping you competitive. Reach out to Crystal Reeves-Paynter for a friendly, data-backed plan tailored to your goals.
FAQs
What is Days on Market and why it matters in Hurricane?
- DOM tracks how long a home is listed before going under contract; shorter DOM often means higher demand and quicker decisions for buyers.
Where can I find current Hurricane and Putnam County MOI?
- Ask your agent for an MLS-based snapshot segmented by price band and property type, then confirm context with county and public trend reports.
How many comps do I need to trust PPSF?
- Aim for at least 3 to 6 recent solds that match location, style, age, and condition; use more comps if the market is thin.
When should I include an escalation clause in Hurricane?
- Use it when data suggests multiple offers and you are comfortable with a clear cap supported by recent comps and your budget.
What if county MOI seems balanced but the listing is hot?
- Treat the specific home like a competitive case; strong pricing and presentation can outperform the wider market and warrant a faster, cleaner offer.
Should I rely on portal DOM numbers?
- Prefer MLS DOM when possible since public portals can reset or display cumulative days differently, which can skew your read of market interest.
