What should I do if my real estate agent and I disagree on the listing price?

You are not obligated to go with the suggestion but if executed properly, a lower price can indeed spark a significant bidding war, but again proper execution is required from your agent. Interest has to be overwhelming, proper inquiry response, constant communication with agents, etc. Best of luck with your sale. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Ask your agent to present the comparable sales data supporting their recommended price. If the comps do not justify your number, the market will prove them right through low showings and no offers. In Lecanto, Florida, overpricing by even 5 percent can add weeks to your days on market. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

Ask them to walk you through their pricing strategy with actual data. What are those comps they're looking at? Are they truly comparable or are they cherry-picking lower sales? How long did similar homes sit on the market at different price points? A good agent should be able to justify their number with real evidence, not just "trust me." If they're pricing low to generate buzz and multiple offers, that can work in hot markets, but it's risky. You could end up with one lowball offer and no backup plan. If you're not comfortable with that strategy, say so. Get a second opinion. Interview another agent, get their pricing recommendation, and see if it lines up. If two agents are telling you the same thing and you're the outlier, maybe your expectations are off. But if your agent's number feels way out of line and they can't back it up, find someone else. Pricing is too important to ignore your gut on.

Brenton the listing price is ultimately your decision, your agent is probably just giving you the best advice from their experience as they are trying to represent your best interest. And ultimately the reason you probably hired them.

It is completely reasonable to question a pricing strategy that puts your home below recent comparable sales, especially when your goal is to protect your equity and maximize your return. Pricing slightly below market value can sometimes generate more interest, create urgency, and potentially lead to multiple offers, but it is not a one size fits all strategy. The success of that approach depends on current market conditions, buyer demand in your area, the condition of your home, and how recent and relevant those comparable sales really are. If your agent is recommending a lower price, they should be able to clearly explain the reasoning with data, including how your home compares to recent sales in size, updates, location, and condition, as well as what the expected outcome would be. The best way to reach a consensus is to ask your agent for a detailed pricing analysis and a clear explanation of why they believe the lower list price is the best strategy. A good agent should be willing to walk you through the comparable properties, discuss the risks and benefits of different pricing points, and explain what is happening in your local market right now. You might even agree to test a price you are both comfortable with and reevaluate based on showing activity and buyer feedback after the first week or two. Pricing should feel like a strategic decision based on evidence, not a guessing game. That said, if your agent cannot justify the recommendation with solid data, seems dismissive of your concerns, or pressures you into a strategy you do not understand or trust, that is a red flag. You need an agent who sees pricing as a collaborative process and respects your comfort level while guiding you with expertise. If the communication is lacking now, it may continue throughout the sale. In that case, getting a second opinion from another realtor could give you clarity and confidence before moving forward.

If you and your agent don’t see eye to eye on price, it’s important to slow things down and turn it into a strategy conversation, not a tug-of-war over a number. You hire a realtor for their experience, their ability to read the market, and their guidance, not just to agree with you, but in return, they should be able to clearly explain their pricing strategy, show you the data behind it, and make sure you understand how it’s meant to help you. One way to bridge the gap is to “test” the market at your preferred price for a short window, say the first 7–10 days, with a clear agreement that if you don’t see strong showings or written offers in that time, you’ll adjust quickly so your home doesn’t start to feel stale to buyers. Great homes that are priced well tend to attract serious interest and sell quickly in almost any market, while listings that start too high often sit and end up selling for less than they could have. Your agent’s strategy of pricing slightly lower to spark more demand can be very effective when executed correctly, but if you’re worried about leaving money on the table, a short trial at your price followed by a prompt correction can give you peace of mind and still protect your momentum. At the end of the day, your agent isn’t obligated to take a listing at any price, they’re investing their own time, money, and marketing resources and have a vested interest in actually getting the home sold—so the goal is to find a middle ground where you respect their professional judgment, they respect your goals, and you both feel aligned on a plan that fits the reality of your market.

Ask your agent to clearly justify the pricing with recent comparable sales and explain the expected outcomes at different price points. You can also request a second opinion or consider a short trial at a higher price before adjusting. If they can’t support their strategy with data or dismiss your concerns, it may be worth speaking with another realtor. Good luck!

First: your agent’s logic isn’t automatically wrong When an agent recommends pricing lower than recent comparable sales, they’re usually thinking about: Current buyer demand, not just past sales How many buyers are actively in your price bracket Whether overpriced listings are sitting and going stale Creating urgency that leads to multiple offers In some markets, a slightly under-market list price can indeed generate: more showings → more competition → higher final sale price But that only works when conditions are right. Second: your concern is also valid You’re right to question it because: Comps reflect what buyers have actually paid Listing too low can risk leaving money on the table “Bidding war strategy” is not guaranteed If the market is cooling or demand is uneven, underpricing can backfire. How to resolve the disagreement (step-by-step): 1. Ask for a data-driven explanation—not just a strategy Say: “Can you show me exactly how many active buyers are in this price range and how often homes like mine are getting multiple offers?” A good agent should be able to support their pricing strategy with: Days on market trends List-to-sale price ratios Recent competing listings (not just closed sales) 2. Separate “list price” from “expected sale price” This is key. Ask: “What do you expect this home will ultimately sell for?” If they believe it will still sell at or above comps, then the lower list price is just positioning—not value loss. 3. Test a middle strategy You don’t have to choose extremes. Options include: Listing at true market value Slightly under comps (not significantly under) Pricing at a “psychological threshold” that attracts maximum buyers You can also agree on: “If we don’t get strong activity in 7–10 days, we adjust.” 4. Watch the agent’s reaction carefully This is important. A strong agent will: Stay calm Back up their recommendation with evidence Be flexible if data doesn’t support the strategy A weak fit may: Push emotionally instead of analytically Dismiss your concerns without explanation Refuse to consider adjustments So should you switch agents? Not immediately. Ask this first: “If we list at my price, what is your strategy if we don’t get offers in the first 2 weeks?” Their answer will tell you everything about their experience and adaptability.

Ask yourself if you think the agent's marketing plan will attract enough buyers and if your home is one that is in demand. If so, then listen to your agent. The price and the market value are two separate things. Market value is determined by what a willing buyer will pay. In order to get people in to see your home, however, they have to be attracted both by the marketing and by the price. Bringing more views and more visits will ultimately result in more people interested, so it is generally a good idea to price a tick below what your agent thinks it will sell for. If they are way low, then you will get a flood of offers and the "rising tide" will lift your price up to possibly where you want to price or even higher. If, instead, you price at your desired price, then you may get no showings and no interest and will end up doing price reduction after price reduction because you lost your early momentum of being a fresh listing that had a compelling price. Don't chase the market, let it chase your home. The days of pricing high to allow negotiating room no longer work in a market driven so much by internet listings.

You should express your concerns and ask if they can show you any results to this theory. Your concern is valid. I would always go with the Sold comparables and try and stay within the middle ground of the sold comparables. At the end of the day it is your decision and should be based on fact material rather than opinion. You should always interview several agents before making decisions who to hire.