Why Overpricing Your Home Can Cost You — A Smart Seller Guide for San Antonio
When it comes to selling your home, pricing is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — and a recent Wall Street Journal analysis shows that getting it wrong can be costly. Homes listed above market value often stay on the market dramatically longer and frequently sell for less than if they had been priced correctly from the start.
(Source: Wall Street Journal, When Home Sellers Set Prices Too High, They’re Paying for It)
(Source: Wall Street Journal, When Home Sellers Set Prices Too High, They’re Paying for It)
As we close out 2025 and head into 2026, this insight is especially critical for San Antonio sellers navigating a market that is more data-driven, more value-sensitive, and more influenced by buyer expectations than the post-pandemic years.
Why Overpricing Backfires
1. Longer Days on Market
According to the WSJ report, overpriced listings that later require a reduction spend about five times longer on the market than correctly priced homes.
A long “days on market” count makes buyers suspicious — causing them to wonder what’s wrong or why the price keeps changing.
A long “days on market” count makes buyers suspicious — causing them to wonder what’s wrong or why the price keeps changing.
2. Lower Final Sales Prices
After a price reduction, sellers rarely regain the momentum they lost. The WSJ found that homes originally priced too high often sell for less than if they had started at the correct number.
3. Reduced Buyer Urgency
Buyers monitor pricing trends. When a home sits, demand cools, and offers become more conservative.
These trends hold true whether you’re selling a starter home in Stillwater Ranch or a luxury property in Alamo Heights — pricing sets the tone for the entire sale.
What This Means for San Antonio Sellers Going Into 2026
The San Antonio market is stabilizing, with buyers increasingly focused on value, updated condition, and realistic pricing. Elevated mortgage rates and a more selective buyer pool mean that buyer psychology matters more than ever.
As 2026 approaches:
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Buyers expect accurate pricing supported by comps
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Overpriced homes stand out for the wrong reasons
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Value-driven buyers are willing to wait for properly priced, move-in-ready options
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Inventory is slowly rising, making pricing discipline even more important
This environment rewards sellers who price strategically — and punishes those who try to “test the market.”
How Caroline & Susanne at Park Properties Group Help Sellers Win
Correct pricing doesn’t mean underpricing — it means understanding:
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current neighborhood comparables
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buyer demand patterns
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updates and condition adjustments
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micro-market interpretations specific to 78209, 78212, 78215, and beyond
Caroline Decherd and Susanne Marco specialize in evaluating homes with this level of precision. Their pricing strategies are tailored, local, and grounded in real-time data.
If you're thinking of selling as we transition into 2026, starting with the right number could protect your timeline and your equity.
Schedule Your Pricing Consultation
A 20-minute conversation could save you thousands.