Definition of "Asking Price"

In real estate, asking price is referred to as the amount set by the seller, the amount he/she wants to receive for the purchase of their home by the buyer. The asking price isn’t always the same as the final price that is paid by the buyer, but it is the price that the seller initially sets, the price that can start a negotiation between the two parties.

Typically, the asking price is the lowest value a home seller will accept to sell the property.  It is also called a listing price, and this is actually the amount the seller hopes to receive from the buyer during the transaction.

How does the market affect the asking price?

The seller needs to know the situation of the market when they determine the asking price as that will depend on the market conditions. Several factors can influence the asking price like the home’s age, the size of the property, features, upgrades, etc. It is also a good idea to look at similar recently sold homes in the area, and by contacting a real estate agent, the seller can ensure a competitive asking price for the property.

During a seller’s market, the home buyer’s offer is generally from the asked price up. The seller sets the asking price, and more buyers might be interested in the property. This can lead to a bidding war between buyers, which will increase the final price. The best offer usually wins. However, there are times, especially in a buyer's market, when a negotiation is done, and the house is sold below the original asking price. If there are fewer buyers interested in the property or only one, that buyer might also look at other properties. In this situation, the game is reversed, and the houses have to “give the better offer” sort of speak. 


That’s why having a real estate agent with you when selling a home is so important. Getting the asking price the closest possible to the fair market value is a challenging and complicated task that homeowners hardly get right. A real estate agent is the most skilled and experienced person to do that job because they deal with asking prices of similar properties every day in their profession. They see how those prices do with home buyers, how much higher and lower from the asking price the fair market value strays.

Real Estate Tip:

Are you looking for more than a term definition? Check our Real Estate Questions
 page; one person’s question might contain the answer you need!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Amount charged for each unit of rental property. An example of a unit might be square footage of space or an apartment. ...

A clause that may be inserted into a purchase agreement or a lease indicating that subject property must be properly maintained in order to validate the contract. The effect is to create ...

A right or interest in property held by a third party, which often limits the use and diminishes the value of the property, but usually does not prevent the transferring of title. The more ...

Depressed, poorly kept locality that may include vacant businesses. It may be a high crime area. The people living in the area are typically poor and there may also be homeless people. ...

The first mortgage on property when other mortgages exist as well, as in the case of a wraparound loan. For example, the total amount financed might be %200,000 of which the first lien is ...

A scholar second mortgage definition would go something like: a loan with a second-priority claim against a property in the event that the borrower defaults. But that’s too stiff, ...

A recorded plat defines a subdivision map that you have to file in the county recorder’s office. It will show the location and boundaries of your parcels of land. Knowing this, we can ...

A flexible price that may be adjusted. A resolved situation between two or people or parties through discussions in which common interests are modified. For example, real estate ...

Landlord's right to receive the value of the tenant's property to pay for unpaid rents or for damages to the leased premises. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions