Pricing Your Condo or Home
Pricing your property is both an art and a science. Achieving the optimal price is the result of both objective research into comparable properties and a gut feeling about your property and the current market.
The right price should:
- Attract buyers
- Allow you to earn the most money possible
- Help you sell as quickly as possible
The simple fact is, price is the number one factor that most property buyers use to determine which properties they want to view. And it's important to remember that, although the price is set by you, the value of the property is determined by the market. Try to avoid allowing your enthusiasm to impact your better judgment - overpricing is a common mistake that can cost you in the end.
The Importance of Proper Pricing
- Faster sale and less inconvenience
- Exposure to more buyers
- Increases Realtors response
- Generates more advertising/sign calls
- Attracts higher offers
- Means more money to the seller
- Avoids being "shopworn"
What really matters is how your property stacks up against the others currently offered for sale and recently sold in your neighborhood. Buyers will be comparing.
Common Reasons for Overpricing
- Over-improvement
- Need
- Purchasing in a higher-priced area
- Original purchase price too high
- Lack of factual data
- Bargaining room
- The move isn't necessary
- Assessed value
- Emotional attachment
- The opinion of family and neighbors
Dangers of Overpricing
- Most of the activity on your property will occur in the first few weeks. Pricing a property properly and then creating immediate urgency in the minds of agents and buyers is critical.
- Buyers who have seen most of the available properties in their price range are waiting for the "right property" to come on the market. That's why if a house is priced right, it will sell quickly. The buyers are there waiting for it.
- Don't start with a high price and the assumption that you can reduce it later. By the time you decide to lower the price, it may be too late, as interest will have already waned.
- A major cause for concern is appraisal problems; overpricing can lead to loan rejections and lost time.
- Even if your property is nicer than other properties in the same area, your property won't be picked for viewing if you set the price too high.
- Buyers and agents become aware of the long exposure period and often are hesitant to make an offer because they fear something is wrong with the property.
- Attracting the wrong buyers.
- Fewer potentially qualified buyers will respond.
- You might help sell similar properties that are priced low.
- You could lose money as a result of making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance, and unplanned maintenance costs.
The Role of a Real Estate Agent in Pricing
- Provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), a comparison of the prices of recently sold properties that are similar in terms of location, style, and amenities. A CMA is performed by comparing previously sold properties in the area, and currently active properties to know your competition.
- There is no "exact price" for real estate
- We don't tell you what we think your property is "worth".
- The market determines value…together we determine the price.
- You determine the price based on the factors you control:
- Marketing time
- Financing alternatives provided
- Condition
- Exposure method - Keep in touch with market trends and keep up to date with market activity of comparable properties.
- Estimate your net proceeds.
- Help to determine offering incentives.
An agent has NO control over the market, only the marketing plan. Never select an agent based on price.
For more information and tips, or a free, no-obligation consultation, please give us a call at 727-466-7344 or fill out the form below:
