How to Price Your Home Effectively

by Marsha Charles 10/08/2017

Preparing to add your home to the real estate market? You'll need to price it accordingly to generate significant interest in your residence and accelerate the sales process. Finding the right price for your house, however, might make you feel like you're walking a tightrope. Of course, you'll want to maximize the value of your home. But at the same time, you'll want to ensure that you can avoid the dangers of asking too much or too little for your residence as well. So what does it take to price your residence effectively? Here are three factors you need to consider:
  1. Competition
Take a look at the prices of similar homes in your area that are currently listed on the real estate market. By doing so, you will be better equipped to determine the right price for your home. Active listings are accessible here on my website and can help you minimize guesswork during the pricing process. This information offers substantial value, as it gives you a glimpse into the current state of the real estate market in your area and where it may be headed. Also, you should examine past home sales data. This information can help you identify home pricing trends over the course of several months or years. It is essential to use home pricing and sales data to gain a leg up on your rivals. However, this information should serve merely as a starting point to help you get a better idea about what your home may be worth in today's real estate market. And ultimately, you should feel comfortable with your home's price, regardless of whether this price matches or varies from similar residences that are available.
  1. Homebuyers
How would a homebuyer view your house? Considering the buyer's perspective before you list your home is paramount, as this enables you to take a critical look at your residence's strengths and weaknesses and price your home appropriately. For example, if you recently revamped your home's kitchen, you can highlight your first-rate kitchen to homebuyers. This feature may help your home garner interest from large groups of buyers. Thus, it may be a good idea to consider the total cost of your kitchen renovations when your price your residence. Comparatively, a home that needs a lot of work, aka "a fixer-upper," may require a discounted price. You can market your residence as a fixer-upper to set the expectation that your house boasts a below-average price but may require significant repairs. Therefore, if you establish realistic expectations for a fixer-upper, you will be better prepared to garner attention from the right homebuyers consistently.
  1. The Real Estate Landscape
The real estate market constantly evolves, and those who study market trends can set the right price for their home at the right time. In a seller's market, you may be able to offer a higher price due to a limited supply of quality residences. On the other hand, in a buyer's market, you may need to set a below-average price to draw attention from homebuyers who can choose from a wide range of top-notch residences. Studying the real estate market can help you become an informed seller. As a result, you'll be able to determine the ideal price for your residence and improve your chances of speeding up the sales process.
About the Author
Author

Marsha Charles

Consistent top listing and selling agent receiving Chairman's Club award for superior sales achievement almost every year while associated with Preferred Properties, Inc. Consistently receive the International Presidents Premier award for sales volume since joining Coldwell Banker Realty and ranked in the top 1% of agents in Connecticut and Westchester County. In 2021 I received the International Society of Excellence award for sales volume in excess of $100,000,000. I have been named a Top Five Sales Agent for customer satisfaction since 2010 (longer than any other agent in Connecticut) and listed in Connecticut Magazine. Named one of the Top Agents in Connecticut by Real Trends since 2018. 

I work with sellers and buyers and also have a strong understanding to needs of those who are relocating . Background and experience in advertising, public relations and photography offer creative and innovative marketing plans for sellers.  

Realtor designations include: Graduate Real Estate Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Residential Marketing Specialist, and Pricing Strategy Advisor. Served as President of New Canaan Board of Realtors (two terms), Director (three terms) and currently serve on Professional Standards Committee. Named Realtor of the year by the New Canaan Board of Realtors in 1994and again in 2022. 

Married and mother of other of four children who attended and graduated from the New Canaan School System, Member of New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Statewide MLS systems. Areas covered include New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Rowayton, Norwalk, Wilton and all of lower Fairfield County.