From Frenzy to Reality Check

According to Cotality, about 50% of homes right now are selling under asking price. Before you panic, let’s put that into perspective:

• 2018–2019: 50–55% of homes sold under asking → totally normal.

• 2021–2022: Only 25% did → thanks to rock-bottom interest rates and frenzied buyers.

• 2025: We’re back to 50% under asking → which means we’ve circled back to normal.

Translation? The wild bidding wars of 2021–2022 were never built to last. The market simply hit the reset button.

Why This Matters If You’re Selling

Here’s the kicker: your pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Back in the frenzy, you could slap on an ambitious price tag and still attract a crowd. Now? Buyers have choices, tighter budgets, and zero patience for overpriced listings.

Your first two weeks on the market are your golden window. That’s when serious buyers are watching. Nail your price and you’re in the spotlight. Miss it? Your listing risks going stale, and stale = price cuts + lowball offers. Ouch.

The Winning Formula for Today’s Sellers

Want your house to be in the other 50% (the ones selling at or above asking)? Here’s the playbook:

1. Prep Your House ✨
   Handle those repairs, touch up the paint, maybe even stage it. First impressions matter more than you think.

2. Price It Right (From Day One) 💡
   Forget what your neighbor listed for. Look at what homes actually sold for. That’s where your agent comes in clutch.

3. Stay Flexible 🤝
   Negotiation doesn’t always mean dropping the price. It could mean covering closing costs or repairs. Today’s buyers expect some give-and-take—so be ready to meet them halfway.

The Bottom Line

The days of “price it high and wait for the offers to roll in” are gone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t win in this market. With the right pricing strategy, a solid prep plan, and a savvy local agent, you can still sell at (or even above) your asking price.

So here’s the real question: what would your house sell for today?