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

Codes are all around us, determining the logical flow of various events and processes. In the cycle of actions and consequences, codes are used as guidelines. The most commonly known codes ...

Gradual and steady increase in the general price level which is bearable in the near term but may result in significant long-term price increases, See also galloping inflation. ...

The result of an act or a fact. ...

Factors affecting the useability and value of property. Important land features would include whether the land was flat or hilly, cleared or uncleared, high or low elevation, dry or swampy, ...

In order to define allotment, we have to take into consideration what it refers to. While generally, it refers to a certain amount of something that is allocated to a particular person, the ...

The prepared form used to specify the terms of the listing contract. Usually a listing form consists of blanks the real estate agent fills in to provide the necessary information needed to ...

(1) Paved roadway constructed above lowlands such as a swamp. (2) Roadway in ancient Egypt connecting the valley temple with a pyramid. ...

Authority given by a municipality to perform specified operations in a certain zoning area. Conditions are sometimes attached by the zoning group. An example is permission to have a ...

(1) Licensed broker employed to represent and match both buyers and sellers. Usually employs several real estate agents in an office. (2) Commission or fee charged to sell real estate or ...

Popular Real Estate Questions