"How to Price Your Home Like a Pro – Without a Realtor"
One of the chief strategies for pricing your home correctly is to understand how its value compares to that of similar properties—known in the trade as "comps"—in your market. Analyzing the recent sales of homes similar to yours gives you a good bead on how much buyers are willing to pay these days, and that information is absolutely vital to setting your asking price. But comps also serve a second, very important function: They help you discern the market value trends that are currently in play in your local area.
Using online valuation tools is another easy way to get a ballpark figure for what your home is worth—all without having to hire a real estate agent. Many of these platforms will combine public records with some nifty data-crunching to give you a free estimate of your home’s value. And while these online valuations can be a helpful starting point, keep in mind that they don't come close to the level of service you'd get from a professional appraiser. Speaking of which, if you do decide to go the appraisal route, there are a few tricks of the trade that can help ensure things go smoothly.