Why the Right Price Matters More Than Ever in Today’s Market
Are you waiting for the perfect buyer to fall in love with your home? In reality, that’s probably not the reason your property hasn’t sold yet.
Across the Puget Sound—whether you’re in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, or Bonney Lake—homes are spending more time on the market. According to Realtor.com, the typical home in August sat for 60 days, which is a full week longer than last year and above pre-pandemic averages for the second month in a row. This marks the 17th straight month of year-over-year increases in time on market.
Why Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell
One reason is simple: inventory. With more homes available, buyers have more choices and don’t feel the pressure to rush. But the bigger factor is price.
For many sellers, pricing expectations are still stuck in the pandemic-era boom. Back then, homes in places like Auburn or Lake Tapps could spark bidding wars even if they were priced above market value. But today, list prices have leveled off and aren’t rising year after year like they used to.
That means buyers are far more price-sensitive. If your property feels even slightly overpriced compared to similar homes in Tacoma, Puyallup, or Bonney Lake, buyers will pass it over for better options.
Signs Your Price May Be Too High
If your home is on the market without much traction, here are four common red flags:
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Few or no showings
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No offers, or only very low offers
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Negative feedback from buyers who do tour your home
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Your home has been listed longer than the average in your area
If any of these sound familiar, waiting it out won’t help. Adjusting your price is the key. Even a small correction can make your home more competitive and bring the right buyers through the door.
The Bottom Line
Selling today means pricing your home for today’s market—not last year’s, and not the pandemic market of 2021–2022. Buyers in cities like Des Moines, Normandy Park, and Burien have options, so they’ll move on quickly if a home doesn’t feel aligned with current values.
The good news? Even if you don’t land the sky-high number you hoped for, your equity has likely grown significantly over the years. You’re still coming out ahead.
If you’re ready to position your home for success in today’s market, start by working with an experienced local agent who knows how to price strategically. Learn more about how I help sellers across the Puget Sound by visiting my site for local real estate expertise.
