and market value, in a seller's market the sales price may be higher than the value, and in a buyer's market lower than the appraised value. The expectations of buyers and sellers also come into play when placing value on a home. Let’s say your home has an abundance of mature trees — a plus in your mind. But a buyer who loathes raking leaves will see that as a negative. If you just spent $15,000 to replace your roof, you might think you can set a higher price, but buyers already expect the roof to be in excellent shape. Proximities to schools, bus routes, and medical facilities can create value that certain buyers are willing to pay for. Buyers look for the right deal, but what they are willing to pay, or what the bank is willing to finance, has limits. Strategic pricing is your greatest tool when selling your home. Pricing Strategy Examples A homeowner decides to place his home on the market and must decide on an asking price. By rough estimate, the home’s market value falls between $590,000 and $640,000. These are some pricing considerations and approaches to finding that “right price”: • The “leave room for negotiation” approach. In this approach, the market value is “stretched,” say to $640,000. The price will not entice a buyer, but may make comparable homes more desirable. The home will most likely not sell quickly, or at that price. • The “price it according to worth” approach. This approach
sees the price set right between the market value benchmarks, at $625,000. Likely, home shoppers will lump the home with like-priced homes, knowing they can buy possibly for $610,000. This approach is often used in a balanced or buyer's market.
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