Pricing your home is an art -- not a science.

Achieving the optimal price is the result of both objective research into similar properties and instinct in determining how much a buyer will be willing to pay for your home. The right price will attract showings, which will generate offers.

The unfortunate fact is that price is the number one factor that most homebuyers use to determine which homes they want to view. It’s also important to remember that although you and your Realtor set the asking price, the selling price is determined by the buyer.

• Result in a quicker sale, with less inconvenience to the seller

• Expose the property to more buyers

• Increase Realtor response

• Generate more ad calls

• Prevent your listing from getting "stale" or "shop worn"

• Over-improved property

• Original purchase price too high

• Desire for "negotiating room"

• Most of the activity on your home will occur in the first few weeks. Pricing a home properly creates immediate urgency in the minds of buyers and agents.

• There is a pool of buyers who have seen most available homes in their price range and are now only waiting for new listings or price reductions. A buyer that has been waiting, may fail to see your home if it is priced too high.

• Sometimes, a price reduction may be too late, as interest by both buyers and Realtors, may have waned.

• Buyers and their agents are very aware of the length of time on the market, the most common question continues to be: “How long has it been on the market?” Often buyers are reluctant to make an offer on a home that has been on the market for “awhile” thinking that there is something wrong with the home.

• Unfortunately, overpriced listings frequently help you to sell your neighbor’s reasonably priced home, making it appear that their home is priced very well.