When you’re selling your house, the price you set isn’t just about the number itself—it’s a smart strategy. And in today’s market, you need to be really thoughtful and precise with that strategy.

More homes are hitting the market, so buyers have plenty of options and can be pickier. If your price doesn’t match up with similar listings, buyers will just keep scrolling and move on to the next one.

Getting your price right from the beginning is key, and a skilled agent can guide you to make sure it’s spot on.

Overpricing Comes at a Cost

More and more sellers are learning this lesson the hard way. They set their listing price based on last year’s market or a neighbor’s sale that happened under very different conditions. When their home doesn’t sell, they face three difficult options:

1. Drop the price: Sure, lowering the price might attract more interest, but it can also raise some questions. Buyers may start wondering if something’s wrong with the house—and that could affect the kinds of offers you end up getting.

2. Take it off the market: Some people decide to just hit pause on selling altogether. But the tough part about that is it puts all your future plans—like moving to a bigger place, downsizing, or relocating—on hold.

3. Rent it out: Renting sounds like a quick fix, and for some it works. But becoming a landlord isn’t always as easy as it seems. Between managing tenants and dealing with leases, it can turn into more of a headache than expected.

None of those options were in the original plan, and honestly, none of them are the ideal place to end up when you want to sell. Take price cuts, for example. This is where having a local agent’s expertise really makes a difference—they can help you avoid those frustrating situations and keep your sale on track.

Where You Live Makes a Difference

Even though price cuts are happening more often across the country, some regions are seeing a lot more than others. It really depends on how much the local inventory has increased (check out the map below).

““Regionally, price reductions in June were significantly more common in the South and West (23% of listings) than they were in the Northeast (13% of listings), reflecting the inventory divergence across these regions.”
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— Realtor.com

Pricing a home isn’t the same everywhere. What’s going on in the country as a whole might not match what’s happening in your neighborhood. That’s why figuring out your list price on your own isn’t a good idea.

How a Great Agent Helps You Nail the Price

A good agent doesn’t just throw out a random number. Like Zillow points out:

““Well-priced homes are more likely to sell quickly, but pricing your home to sell quickly and for maximum dollar requires strategy and knowledge of your local market. You need to have a clear-eyed view of your home in relation to the competition, and knowledge about whether you’re in a buyers or sellers market. It also helps to know what buyers in your area can afford.” 
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— Zillow

That's basically the expertise your agent brings to the table. They know your local market inside and out, look at recent sales, and consider your personal goals along with buyer trends. Depending on what’s going on in your area, the smartest move might be to price your home right at market value. But sometimes, setting the price a bit lower can generate more interest and offers, which can ultimately lead to a higher final sale price.

Make sure you invest in a solid strategy and a knowledgeable agent. Their expertise in the local market can help you sell your home fast, even when things are changing.

Bottom Line

Pricing your home too high can create challenges you'll want to avoid. However, setting the right price paired with expert guidance helps you bypass that stress and sell confidently. Let’s work together to develop a pricing strategy tailored to today’s market that gets you the results you’re aiming for.