The market
dictates the value of a home...
While many of us feel emotionally attached to our homes and may have a dollar
amount that we think it is worth, ultimately, the market dictates the value.
That is why, in order to price a home effectively, sellers should ask their
agent for a comparative market analysis - a collection of data representing
the price of comparable homes currently on the market as well as those that
have recently sold.
Price it
right the first time, or you may end up with even less than it's worth...
Buyers view an average of 10-12 homes before making a decision to buy, so they
learn quickly if a home is overpriced. Homes that are grossly overpriced will
often sit on the market for a long time, requiring multiple price reductions.
In the end the house will probably take longer to sell and may sell for less
than it could have if it was priced right from the beginning.
Consider
your level of urgency...
Sellers who are in no hurry to sell may be able to price a home at the higher
end of the acceptable range. However, if you are in a hurry to sell, due to
a job transfer or other life circumstance, pricing at the lower end of the acceptable
range will probably help your home sell faster.