Pricing Your Home to Sell: The Three Strategies You Need to Know

When it’s time to sell your home, pricing is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make — and one of the most misunderstood. I see a lot of sellers get tripped up here. Pricing too high, too low, or even just a little wrong can mean the difference between a quick, profitable sale... or months of frustration.

There are really three main strategies when it comes to pricing a home for sale:

1. Pricing at Market Value

This is the most straightforward approach—and the one I recommend for most sellers.

We start by doing a full market analysis: pulling recent sales of similar homes, studying active competition, and analyzing what buyers are actually willing to pay in your specific area right now. Then, we price your home right at true market value.

It sounds simple, but it's powerful.

Pricing correctly means your home shows up in all the right buyer searches, it looks competitive compared to others on the market, and it doesn’t send up any red flags. In a balanced market (which is where we're at right now), buyers expect homes to be priced fairly. If they love your home, they'll move quickly.

Bottom line: A well-priced home sells faster and for more money than one that's been "fished" too high or "dumped" too low.

2. Pricing Slightly Low to Spark a Bidding War

The second strategy is a little more aggressive: pricing 5–10% below what we think true market value is, with the goal of generating excitement and driving multiple offers.

This can be a fantastic strategy if the market is active and your home is properly prepped and marketed. Buyers today are savvy—they know when something is a good deal, and they'll rush to compete if they see it.

But there's a risk: if you price low and don't get the expected flood of traffic, it can signal either that (1) the market has slowed, or (2) your home hasn't been presented at its best.

That's why prepping, staging, and professional marketing are absolutely critical. You can't rely on price alone. If the house isn't decluttered, styled, and showcased properly, you might not get the attention you expected—and you'll be stuck lowering your price further. 

This is why it's super important to do your homework on your agent. Ask them to show you how they market their listings! Professional photos, digital ads, even mailed out brochures, you want to know what you're getting! Get in touch and I'll walk you through my marketing materials.

(I'll link my full blog about prepping your home for sale here!)

3. Pricing High and Leaving "Negotiation Room"

This strategy used to work better when the market was red-hot. Today? It's risky business.

Pricing your home above market value with the idea that "buyers can just make an offer" often backfires. Here's why:

• Fewer buyers will even see your home.
  (Search filters are real—people stick to their budget.)

• The buyers who do see it will compare it to better-priced homes and wonder why yours costs more.

• Homes that sit longer on the market often end up with price reductions—and when buyers see those drops, they may assume there's something wrong with the property (even when there isn't).

Today's buyers are smart. They have full access to MLS listings, online comparables, and market trends. They know value when they see it.

Pricing too high often leads to longer days on market, lower offers, and ultimately, a lower final sales price than if you'd priced correctly to begin with.

So What's the Best Strategy?

In most cases, pricing right at or slightly below market value gives you the strongest chance of selling quickly and for top dollar.

Not sure what that number is for your home?
Let's run a custom market analysis together—and talk about which strategy fits your home, your timeline, and your goals best.

Selling smart starts with selling right.

Quick Stat:

According to the National Association of Realtors, homes priced at market value sell up to 50% faster and for up to 4% more than homes that start overpriced and require reductions later.

Ready to Get Started?

The right pricing strategy can make all the difference between sitting and selling.
If you're thinking about making a move, let's talk. I'll run a custom market analysis for your home, walk you through your options, and help you choose the best strategy for your goals and the current market.

Get your Free Instant Home Valuation now to get an idea of your home's value.

📍 Local expertise.
🎯 Smart strategy.
🏡 Real results.

Get in touch today and let’s set you up for a successful sale!