How to Price Your Home
2026
A good real estate agent won’t tell you the exact amount you should ask for your home. Instead, he or she will give you a range. It’s up to you to decide. Here’s how to price your home.
Before listing, discuss price reductions
If you aren’t extremely motivated to sell, you’ve got time on your side. So if you want to try and price it at the high end, go for it. Then monitor buyer traffic to see how the market responds.
If you try the higher end of your home’s price range, agree with your agent early on that you’ll drop the price after a specified amount of time. Then you can use the price reduction to get more people in the door. At least you’ll know the higher price didn’t work.
Pricing low doesn’t mean you’ll get multiple offers
Homeowners sometimes hear about other sellers receiving multiple offers or selling their homes for over the asking price. They assume it happen to them, too. It might. But just because your neighbor received three offers within two weeks doesn’t mean you will.
Homes that get multiple offers are often purposely priced low to get that activity. These homes are usually in a good location and in their best showing condition. It’s also possible the seller who receives multiple offers in in a hurry to sell and may have left money on the table.
If you price your home low, be prepared to take that price. Just remember: Raising your price after your home has been on the market isn’t unheard of but it’s not often done. It turns off potential buyers.
Many agents look for a quick sale
Good agents know homes that go weeks or months with few showings will ultimately sell for less than if they’d been priced correctly from the start.
If your agent pushes for a lower number but still agrees to take the listing at your higher price, you may want to reconsider working with that agent. He or she represents your interests in the marketplace, both to other agents and the buyers they encounter. An agent who doesn’t get their way on pricing may end up sabotaging your sale. A good agent will agree to support your higher price strategy but have a price discussion after some time on the market.
Finding your home’s true market value
Your home’s true market value is what a willing buyer and seller agree to. But you won’t know that amount until the end of the process.
If the home sells within a few days of listing, chances are you listed too low. If months go by without any action, you probably priced it too high. A home priced right will get some steady action. If you receive second or third showings from multiple buyers in a few weeks, you’ve likely hit the sweet spot with pricing.
When you have an accepted offer or a signed contract, prepare for more negotiations after inspection. If buyers feel they’re paying a lot, they’ll come back and ask for credits or fixes. A true sign of a well-priced home is one where the seller and buyer negotiate up until the eleventh hour.
Talk to your agent early about how to price your home
Sellers should discuss pricing with their agent early on. Keep the discussion going as you get closer to listing. Check out online listings, go to open houses, and vet the competition weeks before listing.
