Month: August 2025

Imagine shopping for a used car. You find one that you like and while negotiating the price, the seller gets sentimental. He shares happy memories of family picnics, his kids’ soccer games and other adventures with the vehicle. Then he demands a higher price. After all, he couldn’t possibly part with it for anything less.

Are you likely to pay for his sentimental value? Probably not. Yet the same thing often happens when selling a home.

It’s normal for homeowners to form an emotional attachment to their property. It can be very difficult to watch their home being treated as a product with a price tag, and watch buyers stand in the living room discussing furniture arrangements. Emotions can get in the way of a sale. It can even cause some sellers to stay firm on a high price, when a reasonable offer within market value is received.

After all, as they say, ‘Home is where the heart is.’ So, when it’s time to sell your property, think about all the ways you will take your happy memories with you. Then, focus on selling for the best price within the current market conditions.

If you’re selling your home and there are other listings in your area, buyers will naturally compare your property to those other listings.

Is there something about your home that you’re concerned will be seen as a competitive disadvantage? For example, do you have a small kitchen or fewer bedrooms than most other homes in the community?

There are a few things you can do to compensate for such disadvantages.

First, highlight the advantageous features of your home. Chances are, there are characteristics that make it stand out. For example, the look and style of your home may be cozy and enchanting. Or, you might have a desired feature, such as a terrific view.

Next, do everything you can to ensure your home makes the best impression possible to buyers. Remember, most buyers will only see your property once. So, pull out all the stops. That means decluttering, cleaning, painting, getting any needed repairs done, and staging effectively.

Finally, make sure you set the asking price strategically. That doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be low. But, it does mean that the price should reflect the market value of your home.