Buyers are becoming better educated all the time. Online value estimates and all manner of market statistics are now just a few clicks away. Experienced purchasers can spot an under-priced home from a mile away.
Conversely, when a home is priced 10% too high, buyers notice immediately. As a result, viewings can be surprisingly quiet, even in a raging hot market.
The dangers of pricing too low
You only get to sell your home once. This is your once-a-decade chance to maximise your net worth.
A premium sale price is likely a tax-free gain if you get it right. If you are selling your own home, every extra dollar you get is equivalent to earning $1.50 in your normal day job (depending on your tax rate, of course).
Selling your home below market value leaves a bad taste in your mouth for years.
The dangers of pricing too high
You miss the boat. Your property will be busiest in its first few weeks on the market, while it's new and fresh. If you don't attract a buyer in that initial window, you might end up selling for less later on.
You could end up staying on the market longer than you need to. No one likes keeping their home spotlessly clean for weeks on end. Especially when it ends up costing you money in the form of a lower sale price.
You only get one shot at it. You can't just change the price to market value after a month on the market and suddenly achieve a sale. By that stage, buyers get suspicious. They decide there must be something wrong or your home would have sold already.
What's the solution?
Expert advice. If you want to avoid making a costly pricing mistake, it pays to work with a professional who knows your market inside out.
Use these tips to get the price you deserve...
Invest in all the marketing methods available to you. Photography, online marketing, floor plans, the works! Give your home every chance to attract multiple offers if at all possible.
Don't be in too much of a rush. You don't want to sit on the market forever, but you want to ensure every hot buyer in the market knows your home is for sale when you accept an offer.
Avoid the temptation to 'test' the market with a high asking price. If you hear yourself thinking "we can always lower the price later on," that's a red flag. Over-priced houses stay on the market for longer than average. And when they do sell, it's often for less than market value, as buyers think there must be a problem with the property.
React quickly. If your first week on the market is quieter than expected, move fast. Adjust your price expectations or invest in more marketing to get buyers through the door. In the modern world, purchasers move quickly and you need to as well.
Above all...
Hire the right person to represent you.
A good agent can often add 5-10% to the value of any property by co-ordinating competition, advising on presentation and pitching your home correctly to attract the right buyers.
Most importantly, a competent real estate professional will recommend the right marketing method for your home and your market, to ensure you sell for the best possible price.
We assist our clients all the way through the moving process, from deciding which pre-sale renovations will add the most value, right through to moving day. So if you are thinking of selling in the next 3 - 9 months, get in touch today to book a consultation. We would love to help.
