Selling Your Home - Magazine - Page 17
The #1 Regret Sellers
Have When They
Don’t Use an Agent
Want to know the #1 thing homeowners regret when
they sell without an agent? It’s that they didn’t price
their house correctly for their current market.
Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that’s
the most difficult task for homeowners who don’t use an agent.
And it makes sense that pricing claims the top spot. Pricing isn’t
as simple as picking a number from an online estimate or copying
what your neighbor sold for last year. It takes real insight into:
•
•
•
•
What buyers are actually willing to pay today
What similar homes nearby are really selling for
The condition of your house
How in-demand your area is
Without that context, it’s easy to shoot too high, especially now
that buyers can be more selective. And in today’s market, that’ll
backfire.
Overpricing Isn’t a Small Mistake
Your price is part of what shapes a buyer’s first impression. And
when it's too high, a chain reaction begins. If buyers think you’re
asking too much, they’re going to turn the other way. And when
buyers bypass your house, you'll get fewer showings.
Fewer showings lead to fewer offers. And fewer offers usually
mean making a price cut to try to draw buyers back in. And that’s
happening more often right now, especially on homes sold without
a pro.
The same NAR report shows most homes sold without an
agent (59%) had to reduce their asking price at least once.
17
