When it comes down to it, the most important advice we give as real estate agents is how to properly price a home. No matter how beautiful or well-maintained a property may be, how many upgrades it has or how well it shows, if a home is not properly priced, it’s going to be a tough sell.

If a home is overpriced, a seller risks losing potential buyers who aren’t stretching their search into an uncomfortable price range.The asking price sets the stage and may invite or dissuade buyers based on the dollar amount. Just as you would painstakingly prepare your home for sale, you never get a second chance to make a first impression price-wise.

A well-priced home tends to generate a lot of interest and can result in multiple offers. A shorter marketing span brings strong offers that could result in a home selling for over asking price. Buyers are less likely to play “let’s make a deal” and nit-pick every little thing; they feel the urgency of competing with other interested parties for the same house.

Pricing a property is key to a successful sale. The bottom line,  the market doesn’t guarantee as strong sale price if it’s overpriced  — unless the home is a highly sought after, rare type of property. The key is to get the best advice for pricing and trust the experience and knowledge of your agent. Listing your home competitively from the beginning will ensure you maximize the buyer pool and could promise a handsome end result.