Home sellers
Not long ago, selling a home in Long Beach was simple, easy and fast. Bidding wars were common, and many homes sold above asking with multiple offers in just days - or even hours.
That was yesterday. Today, things are different. The housing landscape in Southern California - specifically Long Beach, North Orange County and Riverside is shifting. Inventory is up, interest rates are volatile, home buyers have the luxury of more options, and homes are taking a bit longer to sell. Surprisingly, few home sellers are getting the hint and adjusting their listing price once, twice or even three times so that their home's value aligns with where buyers are these days.
The question we are getting more often is: "How do you navigate this new market reality and still come out ahead?"
The answer?
Begin with one simple strategy: Price your home "right" from the start.
In a recent article in a leading Real Estate trade magazine, it was reported that 81% of home sellers believe they'll get their asking price or more. Reality tells a different story.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) disclosed that almost 44% of homes sold in the United States sold for less than their list price. In addition, about 33% of sellers had to reduce their price before receiving an offer.
Here in Long Beach and North Orange County, we’re seeing a similar trend: sellers holding on to last year’s expectations while buyers look at homes through the lens of today’s reality.
There’s a growing gap between asking prices and actual sale prices.
The great news is that homes are still selling—and selling well—when priced strategically.
It may feel good start high emotionally so there’s room to negotiate, but based on our recent experience, today’s buyers are informed, diligence based, and cautious. They notice when a home lingers on the market. And when they notice a listing that’s been sitting, they want to know what’s wrong with it or why hasn’t it sold.
The answer often comes down to dollars and sense.
Pricing strategies that lean on past trajectories and trends will lead to fewer showings, lower offers, and the need to reduce the price.
A better alternative is doing what it will take to increase odds that buyers will be interested from the start.
Even as we move into the second 6 months of 2025, we’re still seeing an expanding market. Especially for home sellers who team with and advisor that understands local nuances, trends and direction of your neighborhood.
A good example is right in our back yard of Long Beach. Home values in the city and surrounding areas have experienced a healthy increase in value over the past 6 months. With that said, even if your ideal number needs a small adjustment, you're likely still looking at a healthy return.
In this shifting market, experience matters. The ability to analyze nearby comps, buyer behavior, and neighborhoods nuances are key to “zero-in” on the right price for your property—not just what you hope to get, but what the market is ready to reward.
“. . . the best properties, well priced, are selling quickly in most of the country.”
Mike Simonsen, Altos Research
The market may be shifting toward home buyers, but in Southern California, we are still squarely in a seller’s market that’s simply evolved. The most profitable solution to sell your home in 2025 is to get an informative and realistic pricing strategy and aggressive marketing plan to attract and capture the right buyer that will lead you to get top dollar for your home.
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Home sellers
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