When you sell your home, the price you choose isn’t just a number—it’s the foundation of your strategy. And in today’s market, that strategy needs to be sharp.
Inventory is climbing, and buyers now have more options. If your price doesn’t line up with similar homes, buyers will simply move on to the next listing.
Setting the right price from the beginning is the smartest move you can make—and working with a trusted real estate agent ensures you get it right.
Overpricing Comes at a Cost
Many sellers are learning the hard way that overpricing leads to tough choices later. Some set their asking price based on last year’s market or a neighbor’s sale that happened under totally different conditions. When the home doesn’t sell, they’re left facing three unwanted options:
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Dropping the price – A price cut may bring in new buyers, but it also raises red flags. Buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with the home, which can hurt future offers.
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Taking the house off the market – Some sellers give up, shelving their moving plans and putting dreams of more space, downsizing, or relocating on hold.
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Renting it out – Others turn to renting, but being a landlord brings its own headaches. Managing tenants, leases, and maintenance isn’t always the easy fallback it seems.
None of these outcomes were part of the plan—and all can be avoided with the right pricing strategy from the start.
Where You Live Makes a Difference
While the number of price cuts is up nationally, data shows some parts of the country are seeing far more of them than others. It all comes down to how much inventory has grown in that area (see map below):
As Realtor.com explains:
“Regionally, price reductions in June were significantly more common in the South and West (23% of listings) than they were in the Northeast (13% of listings), reflecting the inventory divergence across these regions.”
This is why pricing isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. National headlines don’t always match what’s happening in your local market. That’s where a local expert makes all the difference.
How a Great Agent Helps You Nail the Price
A skilled agent won’t just throw out a number and hope for the best. As Zillow puts it:
“Well‑priced homes are more likely to sell quickly, but pricing your home to sell quickly and for maximum dollar requires strategy and knowledge of your local market. You need to have a clear‑eyed view of your home in relation to the competition, and knowledge about whether you’re in a buyers or sellers market. It also helps to know what buyers in your area can afford.”
That’s where your agent’s expertise comes in. They analyze local sales, study market trends, and factor in buyer behavior. In some cases, pricing right at market value is best. Other times, pricing slightly lower can create competition—and lead to stronger offers and a better final sale price.
Bottom Line
Overpricing your home can lead to stressful choices you never planned for. But with the right price and the right agent, you can sell quickly and confidently, even in a shifting market.
Thinking about selling your Maui home? Let’s connect and create a pricing strategy that works for today’s market and gets you to your next chapter.
The information and opinions in this article are not investment advice. Tim Stice makes no guarantees about accuracy or completeness. Always do your own research and consult a professional before making financial decisions. Tim Stice is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.
