The Most Important Thing Sellers Should Know About Pricing Their Home

If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, chances are your top goals are to sell quickly and for the best possible price. That’s totally understandable. But here's the thing—many sellers are still pricing their homes too high, not realizing how much the market has changed. With inventory growing, buyers have more options, and overpriced listings are starting to see price reductions. The good news? This can often be avoided with the right pricing strategy from the start.

Why Working With a Real Estate Agent Matters

Pricing a home isn’t a guessing game. A skilled agent doesn’t just estimate a number based on hope—they use real market data, comparable home sales, and local trends to determine a price that makes sense in today’s market.

Sometimes, they may even recommend pricing just below market value to generate more interest and competition, which can ultimately drive the price up through multiple offers. Here’s what goes into that decision:

• Recent sales in your area: What have similar homes nearby actually sold for (not just listed at)?

• Current market conditions: What are buyers in your neighborhood willing to pay right now?

• Strategic pricing: How can your home stand out and generate urgency from serious buyers?

The Risks of Overpricing

It’s tempting to start high and “see what happens”—maybe you’ll get lucky, or have more room to negotiate, right? Unfortunately, that strategy often backfires.

• Buyers might skip over your listing: Today’s buyers are savvy and price-conscious. If a home seems overpriced, many won’t even bother to schedule a showing.

• It could sit on the market too long: The longer your home sits unsold, the more buyers begin to question what’s wrong with it.

• You could end up with less: Homes that undergo price reductions often end up selling for less than if they had been priced correctly from the start.

In fact, most buyer interest comes within the first few weeks of listing. If the home doesn’t capture attention right away, that excitement fades, and sellers may find themselves either accepting a lower offer or reducing the price to reignite interest.

The Bottom Line

Starting with the right price is key. Overpricing can lead to delays, lost buyer interest, and lower final sale prices. A knowledgeable local agent can help you avoid all that by analyzing your market and positioning your home to attract motivated buyers from day one.

Before you list, have a pricing conversation with your agent—you’ll be glad you did.