I run into it all the time.

• “I’m in no hurry to sell.”
• “I don’t really need to sell right now.”
• “I need [x] dollars to be able to sell.”
• “I’ve made [x] home improvements and that makes my house worth more.”
• “The neighbor’s house sold for [x] dollars and my house is nicer.”
• “The neighbor’s house was under priced and sold too fast.”
• “I hear the market is improving.”
• “This will be a great house for [fill in the blank for the type of buyer you think will buy your house].”

There’s lots and lots of ways that home sellers try to justify why they want the price they want.  It doesn’t seem to matter how much data a Realtor® may bring to the table.

It always amazes me, too, that the home sellers coming up with all these various justifications are talking to a Realtor® who is not going to buy there house.  Sometimes, I can’t tell if home sellers are trying to convince the Realtor® or convince themselves.

Here’s the bottom line:  if you have equity in your home you are at a distinct advantage.  Short sales are a waste of time and home buyers will eventually figure that out.  Bank owned foreclosures are a little better but they’re still trashed and sold in “as is” condition. So, if you have the ability to sell your home at a competitive price, do it. Don’t dither over a few thousand dollars that will only cause your house to sit on the market longer than you really want.

You don’t need to convince me your house is wonderful.  I know it.  I also know the market and what a home buyer may want to pay for your house. If your house is priced competitively for the neighborhood and it’s in great condition, it will sell…and sell in a reasonable amount of time.

Do yourself a favor.  If you don’t want to sell, have plenty of time to sell or don’t need to sell.  Don’t do it.

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