Managing Expectations: Why Real Estate Prices Can Change and How It Impacts You

In real estate, one of the most important things I can tell my clients is: "What I say today is today." That’s because the real estate market is constantly shifting, and understanding how those changes impact the pricing of your home is crucial for managing your expectations throughout the selling process.

Why Real Estate Prices Change

When we initially discuss the price of your property, we’re talking about the market conditions at that moment. The pricing might seem perfect at the time, but as we move forward, things can change quickly. For example, the time between our initial meeting and when we list your property on MLS could be as little as two to three weeks or as long as a month or two depending on our plan. During that period, the market doesn’t stay static—there are fluctuations in demand, inventory levels, interest rates, and even broader economic factors that can impact what buyers are willing to pay for your property.

Why It’s Important to Stay Flexible

This is where flexibility comes into play. If we don’t stay on top of the market during that time frame, we risk being caught off guard. We want to avoid being in a situation where we’ve listed your property at a price that no longer makes sense, either because it’s too high or too low for current market conditions. Pricing a property correctly from the start is crucial, because if it doesn’t sell, it creates a stigma around the listing. Buyers start asking, “Why isn’t this property moving?” and that could lead to your home sitting on the market longer than expected.

If we’re not careful, this can result in us having to lower the price, which might hurt your property’s perceived value, leaving us with fewer opportunities to negotiate. That’s why constant market monitoring is so important—so we’re never in a position where we’re playing catch-up. We need to be ahead of the curve, not reacting to it.

Transparency and Communication Are Key

This is where clear, open communication comes in. If a change in pricing is necessary, I want to be upfront with you. I might reach out a day or two before we list and say, “What we discussed a week or two ago might need a slight adjustment based on new market data.” I’ll always explain why this adjustment is being made and how it’s in the best interest of getting you the highest return possible.

The last thing I want is for you to feel blindsided or misinformed. If the plan changes, it’s not a bad thing—it’s a better strategy designed to protect your investment and ensure we get the best outcome.

Staying Adaptable to Market Conditions

Ultimately, today’s price is based on today’s market. We can’t control what the market will do tomorrow, but we can control how we respond. If the numbers change or a new strategy is needed, it’s all part of adapting to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible. In real estate, flexibility and a proactive approach are the keys to success.

If you’re thinking about selling and want a more detailed plan of action, I’d be happy to send you my “Move and Grow” method. This guide dives deeper into how I approach pricing, marketing, and the overall selling process. Feel free to reach out, and let’s discuss how we can maximize your property’s value while staying ahead of the market.

Next steps:
(1) To learn how to up-size your home, check out my free "Move & Grow Method" guide. 
(2): Follow me on my Instagram @trevorthiessen for more tips on real estate, and how we can help.