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For Sellers | Agent Value | Selling Tips

If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Omaha, Papillion, Elkhorn, Bennington, Council Bluffs, or Lincoln, pricing it right is more important than ever. While it might be tempting to “test the market” with a higher price just to see what happens, that strategy can easily backfire—and it could cost you the move you’ve been planning.

The Real Pitfall of Overpricing

Many homeowners look at what their neighbor’s house sold for a year or two ago and expect to get the same number—or more. But here’s the reality: that was a very different market.

Right now, we’re seeing more inventory across the Omaha metro and nearby areas. That means buyers have more choices. They don’t have to get into bidding wars or offer well above asking just to secure a home. Today’s buyers are coming in at—or sometimes even below—list price. And if your home is priced too high, they’ll simply move on to the next one.

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains it well:

“Buyers will have more leverage in many, but not all, markets. Sellers will need to adjust price expectations to reflect the transitioning market.”

But there’s still good news for local sellers. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home values nationally have risen by over 50% in the past five years. In our local market, that’s translated into strong equity growth for most homeowners. So even if you price realistically today, you’re likely still walking away with a great return.

The challenge? Many sellers are still anchored to what a neighbor got in 2021 or 2022—and that can lead to a costly mistake.

Overpricing Can Stall Your Whole Move

Here’s how it usually plays out:
A seller lists too high. Buyers pass. Weeks go by. No offers. The listing goes stale, and the seller faces a tough choice—drop the price, stay put, or take the home off the market altogether.

And the truth is, once you’ve had to cut your price, buyers often see it as a red flag. They wonder what’s wrong with the property. That’s one reason we’re seeing more homeowners decide to delist their homes entirely when they don’t get the offers they hoped for.

A recent survey from John Burns Research & Consulting and Keeping Current Matters found that over half of real estate agents (54%) say more homes are being taken off the market than usual. And the number-one reason? Unrealistic price expectations.

As Bright MLS put it:

“Sellers are delisting after having their home on the market and finding they are not getting the price they hoped for.”

In short—pricing too high doesn’t just keep buyers away, it can delay or derail your entire move.

The Secret to Making Your Move Happen

Whether you’re selling your home in Elkhorn to relocate for a new job in Lincoln, moving closer to family in Papillion, or downsizing from your Council Bluffs property, you don’t want your plans to stall.

That’s why working with an experienced, local agent who truly understands the Omaha-area housing market is crucial. The best agents will give you honest feedback on pricing, help you interpret local buyer trends, and position your home to sell within today’s market conditions.

And it’s working—homes that are priced right and in good condition are still selling quickly, often with strong interest or multiple offers.

Bottom Line

Pricing your home correctly for today’s Omaha market isn’t just about selling—it’s about ensuring your next move actually happens.

Let’s connect to talk through what buyers are paying right now across Omaha, Papillion, Elkhorn, Bennington, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln, and create a pricing strategy that helps you move forward confidently.

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