Do you want content like this delivered to your inbox?
Share

In Today’s Market, Listing Prices Are Like an Auction’s Reserve Price

Share

In Today’s Market, Listing Prices Are Like an Auction’s Reserve Price

Andy Rose

Andy brings to the table over 12 years of real estate experience including becoming a licensed Georgia broker in 2018 and a licensed Broker in Fl...

Andy brings to the table over 12 years of real estate experience including becoming a licensed Georgia broker in 2018 and a licensed Broker in Fl...

Jun 8 4 minutes read

For generations, the process of buying and selling a home never really changed. A homeowner would try to estimate the market value of their house, then tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price they could offer and still get the home. As a result, the listing price was generally the ceiling of the negotiation. The actual sales price would almost always be somewhat lower than what was listed. It was unthinkable to pay more than what the seller was asking.

Today is different.

The record-low supply of homes for sale coupled with very strong buyer demand is leading to a rise in bidding wars on many homes. Because of this, homes today often sell for more than the list price. In some cases, they sell for a lot more.

According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR):


“For every listing there are 5.1 offers. Half of the homes are being sold above list price.”


You may need to change the way you look at the asking price of a home.

In this market, you likely can’t shop for a home with the former approach of negotiating to a lower price.

Due to the low supply of houses for sale, many homes are now being offered in an auction-like atmosphere in which the highest bidder wins the home. In an actual auction, the seller of an item agrees to take the highest bid, and many sellers set a reserve price on the item they’re selling. A reserve price is the minimum amount a seller will accept as the winning bid.

When navigating a competitive housing market, think of the list price of the house as the reserve price at an auction. It’s the minimum the seller will accept in many cases. Today, the asking price is often becoming the floor of the negotiation rather than the ceiling. Therefore, if you really love a home, know that it may ultimately sell for more than the sellers are asking. So, as you’re navigating the homebuying process, make sure you know your budget, know what you can afford, and work with a trusted advisor who can help you make all the right moves as you buy a home.

Bottom Line

Someone who’s more familiar with the housing market of the past than that of today may think it’s foolish to offer more for a home than the listing price. However, frequent and competitive bidding wars are creating an auction-like atmosphere in many real estate transactions right now. Let’s connect today so you have a trusted real estate professional on your side to provide the best advice on how to make a competitive offer on a home.

Get your home's accurate value.

Instead of a robot and an algorithm, we use our experience and up-to-date MLS data*

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
First Name
Last Name
Email
Phone
Best time to call

We'll be in touch soon!

Our goal is to send your report over within 24-48 hours. In the meantime, hear from our past sellers about their experiences.

Are you a Veteran? 

Let us help!


As a Veteran, we specialize in helping Veterans utilize their VA Home Loan Benefits. 

Check out our Veteran's Page.

VA Home Loan Benefits

Now partnered with Corcoran

Andy Rose is now partnered with Corcoran Reverie in Florida. 

Corcoran Reverie is known for their knowledge and experience with luxury beach properties along Florida's panhandle. Your beach home search starts here: www.YourEmeraldCoast.com

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies. More info