There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell your home that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later.
And that’s your asking price.
The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number
If you’re thinking about moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house.
And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize.
Where Online Estimates Fall Short
Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data.
Why?
Some important information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains:
“While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.”
They can’t see:
- The unique features that make your house special,
- All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition,
- Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now.
So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as we are.
In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high.
If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one.
That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents.
What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table
According to 1000Watt, sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools.
That confidence isn’t accidental. As Bankrate puts it:
“A professional appraiser or real estate agent can visit the home in person, assess the neighborhood as a whole as well as the individual property, perform more thorough market research, and consider subjective details.”
And those details matter. We don’t just pull reports. We know what’s happening right now:
- What buyers are paying this month, not last month, or even last year,
- How your home compares to the current competition in your neighborhood,
- Which features add value based on what buyers are willing to pay for today,
- How to price your house to create urgency in this market.
And once we visit your home, we may even find your online estimate undershot your value. So, if you used the estimate you got online, you’d actually be leaving money on the table. And no one wants that.
Bottom Line
While online tools can give you a rough starting point, only local experts like us can give you a price that actually works.
If you want to know the right number for your house, not just the easiest one to find, let’s connect. You can always find us at 508-388-1994 (Mari and Hank) or 781-423-8662 (Colleen).
Talk soon…
Mari, Hank, and Colleen
Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.
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