Choosing an agent can influence both your experience and your result. Sometimes the highest price estimate feels reassuring – but it’s worth understanding how pricing works before making a decision.
Many homeowners invite 2 – 4 agents through their home before selling.
Often, one number stands out.
One agent says:
“I think your home could achieve $1.4M.”
Another says:
“$1.5M.”
Then someone says:
“$1.65M+.”
Naturally, the highest figure can feel good.
Who doesn’t want to believe their home is worth more?
The challenge is this:
A price guide and a selling price are not the same thing.
Some agents price based on evidence. Others may price to win the listing.
This is sometimes called “buying the listing.”
The homeowner chooses the agent with the highest promise, only to hear weeks later:
“The market has spoken…”
“We may need to reduce expectations…”
“Buyers aren’t responding…”
Overpricing can sometimes lead to:
- Fewer buyer enquiries
- Longer days on market
- Multiple price reductions
- Buyers wondering: “What’s wrong with it?”
- More stress for homeowners
That doesn’t mean lower is always better either.
Undervaluing can leave money behind.
The goal isn’t the highest estimate.
The goal is: The strongest result supported by evidence, buyer demand and the right strategy.
A good conversation may include:
- Recent comparable sales
- Current competition
- Number and quality of active buyers
- Property presentation
- Timing
- Buyer behaviour
- Selling method and negotiation strategy
Because two similar homes can achieve very different outcomes.
Questions homeowners could ask agents:
Instead of asking: “What price do you think my home is worth?”
Try asking:
- How did you arrive at that figure?
- What recent evidence supports it?
- What risks could affect the result?
- What strategy would you use to help achieve the best outcome?
- How often do price reductions happen?
The answers may tell you more than the number itself.
Final thought
A good agent shouldn’t simply tell you what you want to hear.
They should help you understand where your home may sit today, what could influence the result, and how to maximise your chances of success.
Because in the end, the process matters.
And so does the outcome.
