Episode 08: Should You Price Your Listing at a Flat, Even Number?

In Episode 8 of the Toe-2-Toe Podcast, hosts Jenn Murtland and Monica Weakley duke it out over whether realtors should price their listings at a flat, even number. Learn Jenn’s ideas about the psychology behind pricing with nines and hear why Monica insists on using a flat, even number. This episode will help you rethink your pricing strategy for your next listing.

 

Episode Highlights: 

• When talking about pricing strategies, do you go with the 299,900 or do you go with the 300,000 even? Is the hundred dollar difference important?
• Monica believes firmly in using the flat number.
• What we know when we study search engines is that most of them have searches that start and stop on even numbers. 
• When you price your house on that number, on 400 even, you're actually doubling your exposure for the house.
• Monica will price it where scientifically, and digitally, it makes the most sense to get the most eyes on it.
• At 399,900 buyers will miss the house in search results and it could have been perfect for them.
• Jenn argues that McDonald’s sells everything on the 99 mark. There must be something there.
• She’s sure there’s science around people thinking they’re getting a deal at the 99 mark.
• Jenn argues that she’s priced at a flat number before and that when they reduced it to the 9, they received higher traffic. But she’s also seen it go the other way.
• If you’ve got the house priced inaccurately, it doesn’t matter.
• Buyer’s perceived value is price + condition. 
• If within 10-12 showings you haven’t received an offer, you’ve probably priced it too high.
• It’s more about actually getting the price right.
• Jenn says that in their market, if you price a house right you'll get around 95-97% of the asking price. If priced wrong you'll only get 88%.
• Jenn and Monica roleplay a pricing discussion with a seller who wants to overprice their home.
• Jenn would tell them that she's aware that they're saying you can always come down and it's more difficult to come up.
• Monica says she tells them she wants to bring them something to say no to.
• Jenn would rather say no to an offer than not have anyone to work with.
• Price the home where the buyer will see it as a great value.
• Jenn would explain how the seller can get more money for their home if it is priced accurately. 
• Monica identifies that agents don't have the confidence to have these conversations with their clients. 
• It's fear that keeps you from being honest. That's not fair to your clients.
• When it’s not right, just walk away.
• In the survey Jenn and Monica conducted, 85% of realtors said they choose flat numbers for home prices.
• Monica reiterates the importance of getting people to see the listing in search results.
• Jenn still feels people have a psychological response to the 99 mark.

3 Key Points:

1. Pricing your client’s home on a flat number increases its likelihood to show up in online search results.
2. Pricing with nines may have a psychological effect.
3. The most important thing in pricing strategy is to price the home accurately. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Jenn Murtland LinkedIn | Facebook
• Monica Weakley LinkedIn | Facebook
• Toe 2 Toe Podcast Facebook Page