Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move

Question: How can unrealistic pricing hurt your home sale — and your plans to move?

Snippet Answer: Overpricing your home in today’s market can stall your sale, scare off buyers, and jeopardize your next move. The key to success is pricing strategically for today’s conditions — not yesterday’s headlines.

The Real Pitfall of Overpricing

It’s tempting to think you can “test the market” with a high price, but that strategy can backfire fast. Many homeowners remember what their neighbor’s house sold for a few years ago and want to chase that same sky-high number. The problem is, that was a completely different market.

Today, there are more homes for sale and buyers have more options. They don’t have to jump into bidding wars or offer way over asking just to compete. If your price feels inflated, they’ll simply move on to the next listing.

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:

“Buyers will have more leverage in many, but not all, markets. Sellers will need to adjust price expectations to reflect the transitioning market.”

Here’s the silver lining: you still have a huge advantage as a seller. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home values have risen by roughly 54% over the past five years. Even if you price a little more conservatively today, odds are you’ll still come out ahead.

The key is recognizing that what worked two or three years ago isn’t what works now.

Overpricing Can Stall Your Whole Move

Here’s how overpricing usually plays out:
A seller lists high. Buyers stay away. No offers come in. The house sits. Then comes the uncomfortable decision — cut the price, wait it out, or pull the home off the market entirely.

The trouble is, by the time a price cut happens, it’s often too late. Many buyers assume something’s wrong with the property when they see repeated reductions.

Recent data from John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) found that 54% of agents say more sellers are taking their listings off the market than usual — and the number one reason is unrealistic pricing.

Their report puts it plainly:

“Sellers holding onto high price expectations is the leading reason they are delisting their homes.”

Bright MLS data backs it up, showing many sellers delisting after realizing they weren’t getting the offers they hoped for.

Overpricing doesn’t just mean missing out on offers — it means risking the move you were counting on. If your home doesn’t attract attention, it can’t sell.

The Secret To Making Your Move Happen

If you’re selling to relocate for work, need more space for a growing family, or want to move closer to loved ones, you can’t afford to get stuck in place. The secret to moving forward is a pricing strategy rooted in today’s market reality, not yesterday’s peak.

That starts with partnering with an experienced local agent who knows how buyers in The Woodlands are making decisions right now.

The sellers who are winning today are the ones who:

• Price their homes based on up-to-date local data.

• Work with agents who know how to position and market listings competitively.

• Stay flexible and open to feedback from the market.

In the right price range and condition, homes are still selling quickly — sometimes even with multiple offers. But it takes strategy, not guesswork.

Bottom Line

Pricing your home for today’s market isn’t just about getting it sold. It’s about protecting your next move and making sure your goals don’t stall before they start.

Let’s connect to talk through what buyers are really paying right now in The Woodlands and how to price your home to sell — without leaving money or opportunity on the table.

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Ready to talk strategy?

Reach out to The McClung Group today to schedule a personalized pricing consultation. We’ll help you understand current buyer behavior in The Woodlands and develop a plan that gets you to your next chapter with confidence.