Double Your Online HomeBuyer Activity with This Pricing Technique

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Stars Realty

There was a time when top real estate agents and motivated homeowners priced their homes at $199,900 instead of at $200,000.  It was this way for many years and the concept actually originated from the retail sales business where retailers would list and sell a ton more products at $9.99 compared to if they priced the same product at $10.00.  You may be wondering what changed and why is $200,000 a more compelling listing price than $199,900.  I am glad you are wondering this!

The internet and real estate websites changed the pricing game in a big way.  Think back to your days in math class and remember the lessons you learned regarding "Greater than, less than and equal to".  Now, think about the last time you were searching for a home online.  Most websites don't have you search a specific price, they give you a price bracket to search between.  An example might be homes for sale from $150,000 to $200,000.  Another example would be homes for sale from $200,000 to $250,000.  The new pricing technique should be getting more clear with those two examples.

If an owner of a home lists their home at $199,900...their home will show up on a buyers home search if the buyer is searching $150,000 to $200,000 because $199,900 fits within that price bracket.  However, if a buyer was searching for homes from $200,000 to $250,000, that same home wouldbe invisible to this buyer because it would not show up within their $200,000 to $250,000 home search.  However, by selecting a listing price of exactly $200,000 you have effectively bridged the gap and your home will now show up on both of the buyers homes searches which will double the number of buyers your home is exposed to.  More buyers typically means a higher net sales price and usually a faster sale.

If you want to gain maximum exposure on the sale of your Central Ohio home, my team and I would love to work with you.  

Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 SamMillerSells.com

#SellingAHome

 

Comments (8)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Sam- Since I'm not an agent, I've never much thought into how you price. Interesting thought though. 

Feb 02, 2023 04:39 PM
Sam Miller

Thanks Kathy for commenting!  The goal is to create more buyer interest for our seller clients and this is a sure way to make that happen - Sam 

Feb 03, 2023 05:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Feb 04, 2023 06:39 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Sam. As times change, you better change with it. Prime example you gave . Thanks. Enjoy your day.

Feb 05, 2023 05:05 AM
Sandra Mathewson
RE/MAX 4000 - Grand Junction, CO
CRS, CLHMS, ABR, SRES, GRI, CDPE, PSA, SFR, CNHS

Sam, Thank you for posting this information.  I never do the .999 number and now you have just just smashed that theory!

Feb 05, 2023 06:19 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, I agree with you. I don't do the 999 pricing scheme either.

Feb 05, 2023 06:25 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree - and I've been suggesting this to my blog readers for quite some time. It only makes sense to show up in two searches rather than just one.

Feb 05, 2023 06:49 PM
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Sam ~ I have never used the 999 pricing game, but I do regularly run into to suspicious sellers when I recommend that they list at a certain round number.  Then I ask them to do a home search on my laptop and they invariably use round numbers to search... point made and case closed.

Feb 06, 2023 10:24 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sam:

Great example of a more effective pricing strategy. Thanks for the explanation.

Jeff

Feb 06, 2023 04:55 PM