Your strategy should match what buyers have recently paid
You're trying to decide what price will actually get your home sold without leaving money on the table. My answer in Lafayette, CO, I set pricing posture around recent closed results first, then I pressure-test it against today's competing list prices so we do not get stuck chasing the market.
Here is the constraint I plan around based on the previous 30 days a typical sale closed at 96.7% of asking last month across single family homes plus condos/townhomes in Lafayette, CO. A typical sold price was $615,000 last month, and a typical sale took 27 days to get to the finish line. This changes your plan because buyers have been getting some room between list price and closed price, and time on market is long enough for price-sensitive buyers to wait you out. Some metrics were not reported for this period. Even with that limitation, the 96.7% close-to-ask behavior tells me the market rewarded realistic list prices more than "try it and see" pricing. Set your list price with the expectation that negotiation is normal, because recent closings averaged 96.7% of asking. I recommend you decide in advance what your first reduction point is and when you will act, since a typical sale took 27 days last month and stale listings lose leverage. Prepare your listing presentation to justify your number if the typical sold price was $615,000 last month, buyers will compare everything they tour in Lafayette, CO to that kind of closing reality, not to the highest neighbor's list price.
About Donna Ehnert
Donna Ehnert is a licensed Real Estate Professional affiliated with The Mint group at eXp, specializing in the Lafayette market. With a focus on strategic marketing and deep local knowledge, Donna Ehnert provides clients with expert guidance in navigating complex real estate transactions. View full profile →