Can You Charge Extra for Features Not Every Buyer Wants?
Scott P. Rogers
When you're preparing to sell your home, it's natural to want to highlight its best features -- and to factor those into your asking price. Maybe you have a three-car garage, a large lot, or an extra bedroom or two. Those are real benefits, and they do add value.
But, it's important to keep mind... not all buyers value all of those features in the same way. Every extra feature that you think is a big selling feature won't be a "must have" for every buyers.
Some buyers will gladly pay more for a home with:
- A three-car garage, especially if they have multiple vehicles or need storage space.
- A two acre lot, if they’re looking for privacy, room for a garden, or space for kids to play.
- A fifth bedroom, for a larger family or dedicated home office.
- Multiple patios, if they love to entertain or enjoy outdoor living.
But many buyers are perfectly happy with a two-car garage, a half-acre lot, four bedrooms, and one patio. For them, those extra features aren’t things for which they will be willing to pay a higher price.
It’s perfectly reasonable to adjust your asking price to reflect your home’s unique features. But if you try to assign full value to every extra bonus feature -- and build your list price as if every buyer will love and pay for all of them -- you may price yourself out of the market.
The key is balance how we value each feature. We want to highlight your home’s strengths and market it to buyers who will appreciate those extras -- but we also want to make sure the price still makes sense to a broader pool of potential buyers.
But, it's important to keep mind... not all buyers value all of those features in the same way. Every extra feature that you think is a big selling feature won't be a "must have" for every buyers.
Some buyers will gladly pay more for a home with:
- A three-car garage, especially if they have multiple vehicles or need storage space.
- A two acre lot, if they’re looking for privacy, room for a garden, or space for kids to play.
- A fifth bedroom, for a larger family or dedicated home office.
- Multiple patios, if they love to entertain or enjoy outdoor living.
But many buyers are perfectly happy with a two-car garage, a half-acre lot, four bedrooms, and one patio. For them, those extra features aren’t things for which they will be willing to pay a higher price.
It’s perfectly reasonable to adjust your asking price to reflect your home’s unique features. But if you try to assign full value to every extra bonus feature -- and build your list price as if every buyer will love and pay for all of them -- you may price yourself out of the market.
The key is balance how we value each feature. We want to highlight your home’s strengths and market it to buyers who will appreciate those extras -- but we also want to make sure the price still makes sense to a broader pool of potential buyers.
