Pricing A Home For Sale: The Fine – Line Between Too High, Too Low, Just Right!

For a variety of reasons, at some point, most people decide, the time is right, for them, to sell their home. Since, for most, the value of this house, is, their single – biggest, financial asset. or one of them, wouldn’t it make sense, when this time arrives, you are more aware of some real estate realities, and proceed, with a better knowledge, of a variety of relevant factors, especially, pricing decisions. How one prices his home, from the onset, often, has significant ramifications! Wouldn’t it make sense, to better understand, as many relevant factors, as possible, in order to avoid, the tendency, to, either, over – price, under – price, or, list your home, just – right? With that in mind, this article will attempt to review, consider, examine, and discuss, what this means, and why it matters.

1. Pricing too high: One of the age – old challenges, is, the conflict, between what a homeowner, believes, his property is worth, and, what, qualified, potential buyers believe, and/ or, are willing to pay! When, a seller, over – prices his house, he risks, getting the best possible results, because, in the vast number of cases, the best offers, are received, within the first few weeks, after a house, is listed, on the real estate market. Whether, it’s because of greed, optimism, wishing/ wishful – thinking, or failing to realize, a listing a selling price, are far different entities, this approach, rarely works. There is, generally, lots of competition, and, what lenders, appraise properties for, and, unless these align, few houses sell!

2. Pricing too low: The risk of listing a house, too low, is turning – off, some potential buyers, because, they feel/ believe, there must be something wrong, if it’s being offered, so – cheap! There is a fine line, between, offering something, at the lower end of the market, as compared to, significantly below, that point!

3. Pricing just – right!: The listing price, a home is initially offered for, should depend on the existing local real estate market. Since, this varies, from region – to – region, state – to – state, and neighborhood – to – neighborhood, and even, sometimes, depending on the specific block, and the location on the block (corner, mid – block, adjoining properties, etc), one should hire a qualified real estate agent, to serve and represent them, and their best interests! The pricing range, should be determined, by having a professionally prepared, Competitive Market Analysis, or, CMA, guide the process. A homeowner’s unique needs, and personal situation, are significant factors, in determining, where, in that range, is the finest, listing price.

Obviously, the best way, and approach, to pricing your house, for sale, depends on a variety of factors, conditions, needs, and priorities. However, when the initial listing price, is just – right, instead of too high, or low, your results, will generally, be better!