Why Pricing Your Home Right Matters More Than Ever
Getting the Price Right from the Start
These days, pricing your home correctly is more important than ever. While it might be tempting to “test the market” by listing high, that strategy can backfire — and cost you valuable time and money.
When you overprice, it’s not just offers you risk losing — it’s the move you were counting on that might not happen at all.
The Real Pitfall of Overpricing
Many homeowners still remember what their neighbor’s house sold for a few years ago and want to match (or beat) that number. But here’s the truth: that was a completely different market.
Today, there are more homes for sale. Buyers have more choices. The bidding wars and offers well above asking are much less common. Instead, buyers are confident to come in at or below list price — and if you’re not flexible, they’ll move on.
“Buyers will have more leverage in many, but not all, markets. Sellers will need to adjust price expectations to reflect the transitioning market.”
— Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist, Bright MLS
The good news? You likely still have plenty of equity to work with. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home values have increased by 54% over the last five years.
So even if you price your home more competitively, you’re still walking away ahead.
Overpricing Can Stall Your Whole Move
Here’s how it happens:
A seller lists their home too high.
Buyers skip it.
The home sits on the market.
Weeks pass, and no offers come in.
When that happens, sellers often face tough choices — cut the price, wait it out, or take the home off the market entirely.
But a late price cut can signal to buyers that something’s wrong, which can make the property even harder to sell.
A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) found that 54% of agents say there are more homes being delisted than usual — mainly because homeowners didn’t get offers they felt were fair.
“Sellers holding onto high price expectations is the leading reason they are delisting their homes.”
— JBREC & KCM Survey
Bright MLS data supports this, too:
“Sellers are delisting after having their home on the market and finding they are not getting the price they hoped for.”
It’s clear — overpricing doesn’t just cost you time; it can cost you your entire move.
The Secret to Making Your Move Happen
If you’re selling because of a new job, a growing family, or to be closer to loved ones, you can’t afford to be stuck waiting.
The sellers who are closing deals today are those who work with experienced local agents who understand the market and aren’t afraid to have honest conversations about pricing.
When you price your home right — for today’s conditions — you’ll attract serious buyers faster and could still receive multiple offers.
Bottom Line
Pricing your home correctly isn’t just about selling it — it’s about moving forward with your plans.
Talk to a trusted local agent about what buyers are paying in your area and create a pricing strategy that sets you up for success.
