How to Price Your Home to Sell (Without Underselling)

May 2

Selling a home isn’t just about putting up a price and waiting for offers. It’s about finding the right price—one that appeals to buyers without compromising your returns.

In today’s competitive property market, buyers are more informed than ever. If your price is too high, you risk prolonged listing times with no serious offers. Too low? You might attract attention—but at the cost of leaving money on the table.

So how can you price your property accurately and confidently?

Here are the 5 key strategies to help you price your home to sell — and still walk away with the best outcome:

1. Understand the Market Value of Your Property

The first step to pricing your home right is to understand its true market value, which is based on:

Recent transacted prices (not asking prices) of comparable properties
Unit size, layout, facing, and renovation condition
Floor level and views
Location and proximity to amenities (MRT, schools, malls)

While online portals can give you a rough idea, a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) done by a professional agent will give you more precise insight based on real-time data and current buyer activity in your area.

Remember: Valuation and market price are not always the same. Market price is what buyers are willing to pay today.

2. Set Aside Emotions and Be Objective

It’s natural to feel emotionally attached to your home, especially if you’ve spent years living in it or invested heavily in renovations. However, buyers don’t pay extra for:

Your personal memories
Sentimental value
Renovation costs that are outdated or not to their taste

Overpricing due to emotional attachment is one of the most common reasons homes stay unsold.

Tip: Take a step back and look at your home from a buyer’s point of view—what would you honestly pay for a similar property?

3. Price Strategically Based on Buyer Search Behaviour

Most property seekers search within specific price ranges (e.g., $800K–$1M, $1M–$1.2M). If you list your home at $1,010,000, you might miss out on all the buyers searching under $1M—even if they would have been interested.

Instead, pricing smartly at $998,000 can:

Capture a larger pool of buyers
Open room for upward negotiation in a multiple-offer scenario

It’s all about positioning your price to generate maximum visibility and interest.

4. Factor in Current Market Conditions

Market trends play a huge role in pricing. Ask yourself:

Are interest rates rising or falling?
Are there many similar units on the market (i.e., high supply)?
Is your area seeing strong demand (e.g., near new MRT or schools)?

In a buyer’s market, buyers have more options and price sensitivity increases. In a seller’s market, competitive pricing can lead to multiple offers or even a bidding war.

Tip: Stay updated with local property news, or speak to a real estate professional to get insights into current demand and upcoming developments in your area.

5. Don’t Let Your Listing Go Stale

The first 2–4 weeks of listing your property are the most crucial. That’s when it gets the most exposure on property platforms, agent networks, and social media.

If your price is too high and the unit sits for too long:

It may be perceived as undesirable or “problematic”
Buyers may lowball you thinking you're desperate to sell
You may need to reduce your price multiple times, which weakens your negotiation power

Instead, price it attractively from the start to generate early momentum and viewings. Serious buyers will often make offers quickly if they sense value and competition.

Final Thoughts: Price to Attract, Negotiate to Maximise

Pricing your home correctly isn’t about being the cheapest on the block — it’s about being the most attractive option within your price range.

By combining market data, buyer psychology, and smart timing, you position your property to sell faster, attract more qualified offers, and still achieve a price you’re happy with.

If you’re unsure about how to price your home or want a non-obligatory property valuation, I’d be happy to assist. With access to real-time data and buyer trends, I can help you plan the right pricing strategy for your goals.

Daniel Lin