Selling · 4 min read

“We can always come down later.” But should you?

Before you test a higher asking price, look at your home through a buyer’s eyes.

By Simon Mandell
October 8, 2026

The question behind the price

“We can always come down later.” You can. But before starting high, there is a more useful question to ask: what will make a buyer choose your house at that price? Buyers compare your home with the other properties they can purchase. Your asking price needs to make sense in that comparison.

Look at the homes buyers can choose today

Recent comparable sales help establish a starting point. Active listings show what your competition looks like right now. A buyer might compare your home with a larger property, a more updated kitchen, or a location that better fits their daily routine. Walk through those differences before deciding where your home belongs.

Separate what you spent from what buyers see

A renovation can make your home more appealing without returning every dollar you spent. Maintenance may prevent a buyer from ruling a home out rather than create a premium. Make a list of improvements, then consider which ones actually distinguish your property from the alternatives.

Decide how you will evaluate the response

Before listing, agree on when you will review showing activity, buyer feedback, and changes in the competing inventory. A quiet week needs context. Limited interest could reflect price, presentation, access, or other factors. Look at the full picture before choosing a response.

Give your asking price a reason

A strong pricing conversation should explain a range, the evidence behind it, and the tradeoffs of different starting points. “Let’s see what happens” is not enough of a plan. You should understand why the price makes sense and what would cause you to reconsider.

A question to take with you

If you were buying today, what would make you choose your own house at the price you want to ask? Start there. It is a practical way to shift the conversation from what you hope to receive to what a buyer can recognize as value.

Every property and situation is different. These articles offer general considerations, not a property-specific valuation or a guarantee of results.

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