How to Find Your Home’s Value Today

How to Find the Value of My Home in Today’s Buyer Market

If you’re wondering, “How do I even begin to figure out what my home is worth?”—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common (and important) questions homeowners ask when they’re considering selling. But the answer isn’t as simple as plugging your address into a website and calling it a day. In today’s shifting market—where inventory has surged and buyers are firmly in the driver’s seat—you need more than an automated guess.

Understanding what factors influence your home’s current value, how buyer expectations have evolved, and why pricing it right the first time is crucial could mean the difference between sitting stale on the market or making a successful sale. So let’s break it all down, professionally—with a dash of good humor—so you can feel confident about your next move.

Why You Need a Real Estate Agent (Yes, Even Now)

With inventory on the rise and buyers taking their time to compare options, setting a realistic price for your home is more important than ever. And while online tools can be fun to experiment with (hello, Zestimate rabbit hole), they can’t compare to what a professional real estate agent brings to the table.

A licensed agent will analyze sales data from the last 180 days—meaning real, local, and relevant comparables—to assess what buyers have actually been willing to pay in your neighborhood. Not what they paid last year. Not what your neighbor thinks they got. Cold, hard facts. Your agent will also consider inventory trends, buyer behavior, and market corrections currently shaping the area.

So when your agent presents you with a pricing recommendation, it’s not a shot in the dark—it’s the result of studying the data and understanding buyer psychology in today’s market. Trust them. Pricing it right up front is your best shot at attracting real offers—especially now, when buyers have plenty of other homes to choose from.

What to Do After You Hire a Realtor

Once you’ve hired your agent (ideally someone who knows your area like the back of their hand and has a strong marketing plan—ahem), it’s time to get your home ready for its market debut. And no, this doesn’t mean knocking down walls or installing a home theater (unless you really want to).

Start with the essentials: declutter, deep clean, and make any necessary minor repairs. That leaky faucet you’ve been ignoring? Fix it. The scuffed-up front door? Paint it. The goal is to make buyers walk in and feel at home—like they don’t have to lift a finger.

Your agent will likely walk through the home with you and give suggestions on what improvements will have the biggest return on investment. Listen to them. They’re not trying to spend your money—they’re trying to make you money.

Curb Appeal and Staging: Why It Still Matters (A Lot)

Let’s be honest: we all judge books by their covers, and homes are no different. In today’s buyer market—where the excitement of 10-offer bidding wars has cooled and the market is gently correcting itself—your home needs to stand out. And not just online. The moment buyers pull up to the curb, they’re deciding whether your home feels worth the price tag.

This is where staging and curb appeal come into play. Mow the lawn, plant some fresh flowers, power wash the driveway, and consider adding a pop of color to the front door. Inside, remove personal items, brighten up the space, and create a neutral, inviting atmosphere. If your agent recommends staging (and they probably will), don’t take it personally. It’s not about how you live—it’s about helping buyers picture themselves living there.

A well-staged, move-in-ready home is far more likely to command top dollar—even in a buyer’s market.

Let’s Chat About Selling Smart

If you’re thinking about selling, now’s the time to contact a local expert who knows the nuances of your neighborhood, understands buyer behavior, and can guide you with data—not guesswork. A realistic, informed strategy is what gets homes sold in today’s market—and it’s what I bring to every listing.

Let’s have a nice, no-pressure chat about your home, your goals, and what today’s buyer market really looks like.
Call Erin Gwillim at 727-409-1089 and let’s talk about how to get your home sold—with confidence.