Home Seller's Guide Setting a Price

Pricing is one of the most crucial aspects of your marketing effort. The figure your choose must reflect the various attributes of your home, the state of the market, and your need or desire for a fast sale.

Deciding on the right price isn't easy. Set too high a price and your home may languish on the market - too low and you may get thousands less than you could have.

• Work with Your Agent
  Your agent is in the market every day - no one can offer you a better view of pricing and sales activity. Once your agent is familiar with your home and its features, he or she can prepare a comparative market analysis and propose a listing price. Seriously consider this pricing, but don't be hesitant to disagree or suggest another figure - just try to be realistic.
• Consider Market Conditions
  Real estate markets are highly cyclical. While home prices have typically risen over extended periods of time, the road is sometimes a bumpy one. The price you will get for your home - and the time it will take to get it - depend to a great extent on the overall state of the market. Our guide to evaluating real estate markets can help you figure out how to proceed.
• Be Objective About Your House
  It's important to be objective about your home when setting pricing. Remember, it's really not relevant what you paid or how much you love the property - the important consideration is what the market will bear at this time.
• How Quickly Do You Need to Sell?
  Setting real estate prices is not an exact science. A low asking price may generate a fast sale, while a bit of patience - and a higher listing price - may allow you to net a larger figure. It's important to be honest with yourself about your needs when setting a price. Our quick sale checklist can help you decide if it makes sense to accept a bit less in return for a faster sale.
• Is Your Home Overbuilt?
  Generally, nicer homes yield higher sales prices. This relationship begins to diverge a bit, however, near the top of the market. Overbuilt homes rarely sell for the prices it appears that they should. Buyers in the price range of the overbuilt home are generally interested in more upscale communities, while the typical buyer for the area cannot afford to pay a significantly higher price. If your home is overbuilt you may have to accept the fact that you won't be able to get the price you think you should.

Don't Get Emotional Over Pricing
It's easy to get upset when pricing your house. After all, to you it's a home - perhaps one where you lived for years and raised your children. But to a buyer it's just another house for sale. Your agent's job is to give you the facts and to help you decide on a price that is realistic based upon your home and your timing.