Want to Sell Your House This Year? Here’s the Game Plan

A couple of years ago, homes were selling at lightning speed—multiple offers, bidding wars, and prices soaring well above asking. It felt like sellers held all the cards.
But today’s market has shifted. With more homes on the market, buyers are pickier. Properties are sitting longer, and price cuts are becoming more common.
So how do you stay competitive? It starts with smart pricing—right from the beginning. In this market, nailing the price early can make or break your sale.
The reality? There’s a growing disconnect between what sellers think their home is worth and what buyers are actually willing to pay. Realtor.com reports 81% of sellers expect to get their full asking price (or more), but NAR data shows 44% of homes sold below asking—and one-third of sellers had to drop their price to get it sold.
Just look at this Redfin chart: asking prices are trending higher, while sale prices are falling behind. That gap? It tells the real story. It uses data from Redfin to show that asking prices (blue line) are higher than actual sales prices (green line) by a wider and wider margin:
Not Every Buyer Will Pay Today’s Asking Prices It’s a reality some sellers overlook: just because you list high doesn’t mean buyers will bite. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell for a strong price—it just means you need to start where the market is, not where you wish it was.
Why Overpricing Backfires
It’s tempting to list high thinking you’ll “leave room to negotiate.” But in today’s market, that strategy can backfire fast. Overpriced homes tend to sit, making buyers skeptical. They start asking: What’s wrong with it?
That leads to fewer showings, less buzz, and eventually...a price cut. As Realtor.com puts it:
“By getting the right price early on, you can increase the odds buyers will be interested...and reduce the chances you’ll need to lower the listing price later.”
The longer your home sits, the tougher it becomes to sell at top dollar.
Price It Right, Right From the Start
The best move? Work with a local expert who knows the numbers. A good agent will analyze recent sales, buyer activity, and neighborhood inventory to find the sweet spot for your area—not just a generic price.
Even if you list a little under what you hoped, remember: home prices are still up over 57% in the last 5 years. You’re likely in a great spot to sell and profit.
When it’s priced right, your home will stand out and sell faster. As Mike Simonsen of Altos Research explains:
“. . . the best properties, well priced, are selling quickly in most of the country.”
Want to make sure your price hits the mark? Let’s talk strategy.
Bottom Line
The market may have shifted, but your opportunity to sell remains strong. The key is having the right pricing strategy from the start. Connect with a local real estate expert who understands the latest trends in your neighborhood and can help you pinpoint a competitive price—one that attracts serious buyers, gets your home sold quickly, and still maximizes your return.
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