• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Accessibility Statement

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on YouTubeRSS Feed

Kimberly Howell Properties

San Antonio Real Estate

office@kimberlyhowell.com
(210) 493-6888
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Agents
  • Buyers
    • Neighborhoods
    • Relocation Information
  • Sellers
  • Listings
    • Available Rentals
    • Homes for Sale
    • McNair Custom Homes
    • Open Houses
  • Contact
  • Rental SearchHomes for Rent
  • REALTORS®Find an Agent
  • McNair Custom HomesNew Construction
  • Property SearchHomes for Sale
You are here: Home / Sell Your Home / Listing your home is not a game.

Listing your home is not a game.

February 1, 2013 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Wheel of Fortune

My biggest fear.

When looking through the San Antonio MLS listings on the market, I sometimes get a bit scared by what I see. It’s not 100% of the listings I see, in fact, it’s a small percentage, but it scares me nonetheless.

What is it that I see? Listings that seem to be a game to the seller and their listing agent. Price fluctuations all over the charts. Poor photos or a complete lack of photos. People not taking full advantage of the MLS system the San Antonio Board Of REALTORS® provides us. The even bigger part of this fear? That the seller doesn’t know their home’s sale has become a game.

The strategy of selling your home.

The “let’s see how this price works out” theory of real estate seems like a huge gamble to me. Yes, we all want to get top dollar for our home when we sell, but when I see price fluctuations on a consistent basis and I’m representing a buyer for your home, guess what I see? An opportunity. Whether you had your agent overprice your home or your agent told you it was worth much more than it is, all I see is a chance to use my knowledge and skill to get my client a better deal.

Most overpriced homes wind up selling for less than they’re worth, because a good agent knows how to use this to their advantage. Do you want to let someone have an advantage over you when the price of your home in on the line? I’m guessing the answer is a resounding “no.”

Pricing your home inline with the market can get it sold faster, for a price closer (or above) your asking price, and remove the anguish of waiting, waiting, waiting, and hoping someone will make an offer on your home. And the constant price changes only add to your stomach ulcer.

I know this, because I did it when I sold my first house. I lived in a hot Los Angeles market and I tried to play the game. I waiting, waited, waited – and wound up feeling sick half the time. In the end, I did sell my house for a nice profit, but these were the days in the run up to the market crash. The days when homes in California were appreciating at alarming rates (mine at 30% over three years). I’m sure you’ve seen the news – those days are gone.

“Don’t worry, they’ll lower their price again.”

Imagine we’re looking for a home for you to buy. I show you a great home that you love…and the price looks good, so we decide to dig a little deeper with the intent of writing an offer. I pull the comparables in the area and we sit down to discuss. What do you think when I show you the price history on the home?

You’re probably thinking exactly what I’m thinking. They’ve made a price cut every month of x amount of dollars. If we wait another month, they’ll do it again. We can buy this house later at a better price. That day may or may not come, but that seller’s decisions on pricing have just made us move on. They lost their buyer.

Now back into your shoes as a seller. Do you want that to happen to you? Do you want a buyer who is eager to buy your home say, “We can wait this one out?,” and in the meantime possibly find a home other than yours? Do you want to delay the sale of your home another day? Month? Year? Of course you don’t.

It’s that easy.

The solution couldn’t be simpler. Price your home right. Price it to sell. Price it to get people in the door and then wow them with the rest. Some people suggest underpricing your home in order to create “buzz,” but it’s not necessary. Price it right and it will generate buzz. Price it right and you could wind up with multiple offers, no matter the market. Price it right and get it sold so you can put your mind at ease and move on to your next home.

What about pricing it to allow a cushion for negotiations?

In today’s climate, buyers are being more savvy when it comes to offers. Some sellers and agents have a theory of pricing it slightly above market value in order to allow for a cushion in negotiations. You don’t have to accept low offers. You should look at every offer, no matter how ridiculous and weigh it based on your situation, but if the offer is too low, counter it. Don’t throw it away – always counter the offer.

A lot of buyers like to test the waters before making a more serious offer. They know they’ll pay more for the property, but why should they if they can get away with a lower price. I know this for a fact, because my clients do it and I help them do it all the time. When I work for a buyer, my goal is to help them, not the seller.

Pricing with a cushion for negotiation is a tactic that a good agent can see a mile away. We know it’s priced that way, so we skirt right around the issue and offer fair market value for it with our buyer-clients. If you want to stick to your higher-priced guns, I’ll recommend my buyer keep looking.

Want to know what your home is worth in today’s market? Get a free market analysis of your home today.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

image courtesy of pds319

Related Posts

  • Your Winter Home Selling ChecklistYour Winter Home Selling Checklist
  • Fix Up Your Home Before Putting It On The MarketFix Up Your Home Before Putting It On The Market
  • Hail Damage Still Causing Issues for Sellers in San AntonioHail Damage Still Causing Issues for Sellers in San Antonio
  • Closing Costs For Sellers – What to ExpectClosing Costs For Sellers – What to Expect
  • From Listing Appointment to Sale: Preparation is KeyFrom Listing Appointment to Sale: Preparation is Key

Filed Under: Sell Your Home Tagged With: fair market value, sell your home, market price

Quick Search

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Why It Makes Sense to Move Before Spring

Why It Makes Sense To Move Before Spring

Spring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home. However, that isn’t always the case when you factor in … [Read More...] about Why It Makes Sense To Move Before Spring

Home Values

Have Home Values Hit Bottom?

Whether you’re already a homeowner or you’re looking to become one, the recent headlines about home prices may leave you with more questions than answers. News stories are talking about home prices falling, and … [Read More...] about Have Home Values Hit Bottom?

Home Equity

3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you … [Read More...] about 3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

Best Practices for Selling Your House

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year

A new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of … [Read More...] about 3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year

Median Asking Rent

Avoid The Rental Trap This Year

If you’re a renter, you likely face an important decision every year: renew your current lease, start a new one, or buy a home. This year is no different. But before you dive too deeply into your options, it … [Read More...] about Avoid The Rental Trap This Year

Search Our Site

Real Estate Topics

  • Buying a Home
  • Homeowner Tips
  • KHP News
  • Local Events
  • Local Laws
  • Miscellaneous
  • Mortgages and Financing
  • Open Houses
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Market
  • Renters and Landlords
  • San Antonio Places
  • Sell Your Home
  • Technology
Our real estate agents can help you with properties anywhere in Texas. If you need assistance finding agents in other parts of the country, please contact us.

Search Homes

Explore Cities

  • Alamo Heights 35 Listings
  • Bandera 414 Listings
  • Blanco 191 Listings
  • Boerne 761 Listings
  • Bulverde 448 Listings
  • Canyon Lake 524 Listings
  • Castle Hills 20 Listings
  • Castroville 107 Listings
  • Cibolo 363 Listings
  • Comfort 64 Listings
  • Converse 679 Listings
  • Fair Oaks Ranch 62 Listings
  • Floresville 268 Listings
  • Garden Ridge 6 Listings
  • Helotes 159 Listings
  • Hill Country Village 4 Listings
  • La Vernia 181 Listings
  • Lakehills 147 Listings
  • Leon Valley 10 Listings
  • Live Oak 78 Listings
  • Mico 125 Listings
  • New Braunfels 1478 Listings
  • Olmos Park 8 Listings
  • San Antonio 10941 Listings
  • Schertz 300 Listings
  • Seguin 694 Listings
  • Selma 73 Listings
  • Shavano Park 26 Listings
  • Spring Branch 454 Listings
  • Terrell Hills 28 Listings
  • Universal City 96 Listings
  • Windcrest 25 Listings
  • Hollywood Pk 4 Listings

Stay up to date with the latest from Kimberly Howell Properties.

San Antonio real estate and property information provided by Kimberly Howell Properties. Kimberly Howell Properties does not assume any liability or responsibility for the operation or content of any of the linked resources, nor for any of the interpretations, comments, graphics, or opinions contained therein. All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

KJH Properties, Inc. is a licensed real estate brokerage in the State of Texas, Equal Opportunity Employer, and supporter of the Fair Housing Act.

TREC Information About Brokerage Services | TREC Consumer Protection Notice | Privacy Policy

All content © 2009-2023 Kimberly Howell Properties, unless otherwise noted.