How to Determine the Price of Your Home

photo_4875_20090227If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and ‘shows’ better than the competition, it will have a better chance of being sold quickly.

The secret to pricing a property correctly is perfecting the technique of comparative shopping.

Although comparing houses with different styles, square-meteridge and locations is challenging, it’s still one of the best methods to use when determining a home’s market value.

A home’s worth is most effectively evaluated through a process known as Comparative Marketing Analysis. Taking a look at assets, such as a swimming pool, bigger than normal living spaces, a fantastic view, adjacent city parks and other attractions, your home can then be compared with similar properties that have sold in the area within the last six months.

Typically, the agent is able to recommend a realistic price range that will ensure you top dollar and a reasonably good response.

It is suggested that factors such as the amount of time needed to sell your home can alter the agent’s price recommendation dramatically. If you’re under time constraints because of unexpected job changes or moving agreements you’ve made on another property, this will narrow your chances of selling the home for top dollar in the market.

Assuming you have sufficient time to market the home, here are a few small steps you and your agent can take to finding the right price for your property.

The best comparisons can be made with similar homes that have been sold within the last 45 days. Any longer and other factors, such as the economy, could cloud your view of how much your home is really worth.

Another good benchmark is to review the selling prices of homes that have just been sold and are pending closes. This is information that most real estate agents should be able to share with you.

Being open and honest about what you see as the home’s greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses will also help an agent get a better feel for how to best evaluate (or assess) and market your home.

Think of your home as if you were the buyer. If your home is listed at the right price, you’re well on your way to a speedy and fruitful sale.