If the Price of YOUR Home Isn't Right, It Won't Be Selling

One major error you should steer clear of when selling your house this year is too high a price. Although it could seem that overpricing allows you flexibility to negotiate or increases your profit, the truth is typically it backfires.

Realtor.com (@realtorpro on Instagram, 2025) reports that one in five, or roughly twenty percent of sellers, have to lower their price to sell their house (Hale et al., 2024). And you wish not to be among them. Starting at too high of a price can cause problems, so here is why and how to prevent issues from starting.

Overpricing Forces Away Buyers

Buyers are already stretching their finances to make a purchase given mortgage rates and house prices as they are right now. Therefore, they are not thinking, "I can negotiate," when they come upon a house that seems very expensive. They are more likely to think, "next," and skip over your house totally. An article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) clarifies:

"Some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever just because they can, but this may drive away serious buyers..."

You also lose the opportunity to get those potential home buyers through your door if they skip over your listing due to your pricing error. That's the last thing you want since less showings translate into less opportunities to get an offer.

Longer Your House Sits, the More Skeptical Buyers Become

Here is another problem. Generally speaking, a pricey house stays on the market longer. And the longer a house stays, the more purchasers begin to question its condition. Is the house in bad condition? Are you a hard seller to deal with? Even if the price is the main concern, that additional time grows into doubtful home buyers. As United States News states:

“. . . setting an unrealistically high price with the idea that you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate . . . A home that’s overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.”

Initially overvalued, a house often stays on the market longer—even after the price is lowered—because purchasers believe there must be something wrong with it.
You will then have to cut your pricing if you want to generate interest. That price cut does, however, have a drawback: buyers could view it as another red flag indicating a property problem.
 

The Key to Determining YOUR Correct House Price

How then may one avoid all these migraines? It's plain and simple. Work with a local real estate agent that understands the market both inside and outside and who will be honest with you regarding the  price you should set for your house.
 
You don't want to work with someone who will agree to whatever number you propose. That's not a true professional who will produce the best outcomes for you.

You want an agent whose recommendations for a price are based on their expertise and their experience. The correct agent will use real-time data from your local market to assist you in landing on a price that makes sense—one that grabs attention, draws buyers, and still helps you walk away with a nice return. A real estate agent who has been there and done that, and done it brilliantly. You want to deal with that agent (shameless plug—psst, I'm right here).

Ultimately Selling YOUR HOME

Recall, the price is not selling if it is not appealing. Work with a local agency that understands how to price it appropriately instead of aiming too high and frightening off purchasers.

Let's work together to ensure your house is seen, sold, and meets the market at the appropriate price.

References:

Hale, D., Speianu, S., Xu, J., Jones, H., McLaughlin, R., & Berner, J. (2024, December 4). Realtor.com 2025 Housing Forecast - Realtor.com Economic Research. Retrieved from https://www.realtor.com/research/2025-national-housing-forecast/

Realtor.com: [@realtorpro]. (2025). "Our 2025 Housing Forecast report is here!" [Photo]. Instagram. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/DDfGRm6pdJY/?img_index=2