If you’re trying to sell your house, you may consider this spring season the sweet spot—and you’re not wrong. We’re still in a seller’s market because there are so few homes. And historically, this is the time of year when more buyers move, and competition ticks up. That makes this an exciting time to put up that for sale sign.
But while conditions are great for sellers like you, you’ll still want to be strategic when setting your asking price. Pricing your house too high may cost you in the long run.
The Downside of Overpricing Your House
The asking price for your house sends a message to potential buyers. The price and photos will make the biggest first impression from the moment they see your listing. And, if it’s too high, you may turn people away. As an article from U.S. News Real Estate says:
“Even in a hot market where there are more buyers than houses available for sale, buyers aren’t going to pay attention to a home with an inflated asking price.”
That’s because no homebuyer wants to pay more than they have to, especially not today. Many already feel the pinch on their budget due to ongoing home price appreciation and today’s mortgage rates. And if they think your house is overpriced, they may write it off without even stepping in the front door, or they won’t know an offer if they feel it’s high.
If that happens, it’s going to take longer to sell. And ideally, you don’t have to think about dropping the price to re-ignite interest in your house. Why? Some buyers will see the price cut as a red flag and wonder why it was reduced, or they think something is wrong with the house the longer it sits. As an article from Forbes explains:
“It’s not only the price of an overpriced home that turns buyers off. There’s also another negative component that kicks in. . . . if your listing just sits there and accumulates days on the market, it will not be a good look. . . . buyers won’t necessarily ask anyone what’s wrong with the home. They’ll just assume that something is indeed wrong, and will skip over the property and view more recent listings.”
Your Agent’s Role in Setting the Right Price
Instead, pricing it at or below the current market value is a better strategy. So, how do you find that ideal asking price? You lean on the pros. Only an agent has the expertise to research and determine your home’s market value.
They’ll examine the condition of your house, any upgrades you’ve made, and what other homes like yours are selling for in your area. And they’ll use that information to find that target number. The right price will attract more buyers and make you more likely to see multiple offers. Plus, when homes are priced right, they sell quickly.
Bottom Line
Even though you want to bring in top dollar when you sell, setting the asking price too high may deter buyers and slow the sales process.
Let’s continue to the right price for your house to maximize profit and attract eager buyers willing to make competitive offers.
