08/28/2026
We've all done it—typed an address into an online home value estimator. It's addictive, right? But does it really reflect a property's worth? Let's explore the hard truths about property pricing and the digital tales they might tell.
Your Instructional Guide to Pricing Right
If you are preparing to put your home on the market, follow these steps to ensure you aren’t misled by the digital noise:
- Gather Your “Paperwork”: Make a list of every upgrade you’ve done in the last 5-10 years. Include the year it was done and the approximate cost.
- Look at “Pendings,” Not Just “Solds”: A “Sold” price tells you what happened 2-3 months ago. A “Pending” status (where the home is under contract but hasn’t closed) tells you what buyers are doing right now.
- Be Honest About Your Competition: Go to a few open houses in your price range. If those homes are nicer than yours and priced lower, your online home value estimate is definitely lying to you.
- Ignore the “Emotional” Price: It is very common to feel that your home is worth more because of the memories you’ve made there. We call this the “Heart Premium.” Unfortunately, buyers don’t pay for your memories, they pay for the square footage and the kitchen cabinets.
- Leave Room for Negotiation (But Not Too Much): Pricing too high “just to see what happens” is a dangerous game. It can lead to your home sitting on the market, which makes buyers wonder, “What’s wrong with it?”
Read more on the blog: https://www.tegrlty.com/alorithm-doesnt-know-your-house/