What Determines the Sale Price of a Home?

Louisiana REALTORS® • March 16, 2023

Arguably the most critical step when it comes to selling your home is setting an accurate and appropriate price. The same goes for buying a house. It is very important that you understand what a fair price is for the property you are potentially buying.  REALTORS® offer much value in helping both home buyers and home sellers calculate and consider pricing. Here are three things that influence the price of a home.


Age & Condition of the Home

These factors are imperative when it comes to determining the future cost of ownership. In terms of maintenance, older homes could require more work and money in the long run. The foundation, electrical work, structural integrity, plumbing and overall age should be strongly considered from the perspective of both the home buyer and the seller, and the price or offer should reflect it. 


Historical & Comparable Real Estate Sales

Looking at the historical sale prices of an older property, combined with the prices of homes in the area of comparable size, age, and condition can provide a consistent baseline for both setting a price, and negotiating an offer.


The Property’s Location

Everything from the market to the neighborhood to the schools to nearby attractions and amenities will dramatically influence a home’s price. Convenience, economy, and education are all major considerations for a buyer. 


While buying and selling a home is a big decision, the success of that decision ultimately comes down to price. How much do you pay, or how much do you get? Trusting a REALTOR® from either side of the transaction will help ensure you get exactly what you need.

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NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide offering homeowners factors to consider when deciding whether to sell their home. The guide includes seven discussion points to help potential sellers think through the decision with the help of a real estate professional who’s a REALTOR®. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Thinking of Selling? 7 Factors to Consider How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Can’t Pay Your Mortgage? You Have Options 8 Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter Hiring a Remodeling Contractor Real Estate Contract Contingencies Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for the next consumer guide, which will look at factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase real estate as an investment.
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