Setting a price for your property is one of the biggest decisions you will make during the selling process. Choosing the right price gives you the greatest chance at selling your home quickly and at the best possible price. Pricing your home may sound simple, but as Tony Harrington from Tony Harrington Estate Agents explains, many sellers make a mistake that causes their property to sit stagnant on the market and reduce the eventual selling price.
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“This mistake is pricing their property too high,” he says. “Many sellers are under the impression that they need to add a margin to their home in order to achieve their actual price. Sellers assume that if they add a margin or in essence overprice their home, they will be more flexible when negotiating a price with buyers. Although this may sound logical in theory, in practice overpricing only does more harm than good.”
Why is overpricing property a bad tactic?
Tony says there are many downfalls to overpricing property. “Setting an unrealistic price is unlikely to draw buyer interest – in most cases your overpriced property can make other properties on the market look more attractive in comparison. Why would a buyer choose to purchase your home when they could get a similar property for significantly less?
“The longer your property stays on the market, the less desirable it becomes to buyers. A property that sits on the market for a long period will often carry a stigma; buyers will assume there is something wrong with the property and will be deterred from making enquiries. It can force the property’s value down, leading you to accept a much lower price down the track than would have initially been offered if priced correctly.”
Isn’t pricing my home too low just as risky?
According to Tony, sellers often fear that if they price their home too low, they risk losing a substantial amount. However, pricing your home too high is far riskier than pricing it too low. “If your property is priced slightly lower than comparable properties, it will instantly draw more buyer interest than your competition,” he says. “More often than not this leads to multiple offers being made. With a good negotiator in your corner this generally leads to the property selling at or above market value.”
How should I price my property to ensure I achieve the best result?
Tony stresses the importance of staying as impartial as possible and choosing a price that’s close to market value. “A good real estate agent can help you establish the correct price point by examining recent sales, your current competition and the features and benefits of your property,” he says. “If it’s priced fairly, you are likely to achieve a quick result at (or above) your asking price.”
