"The house you looked at today and wanted to think about until tomorrow may be the same house someone looked at yesterday and will buy today." - Koki Adasi

Hey Everyone,

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Ridgeline Rundown!

This week, we're diving into a topic that's critical for anyone looking to sell their home in today's market: Pricing it right. If your house isn't priced competitively, it simply won't sell. We'll explore the key factors that determine a compelling price and how to make sure your home stands out to potential buyers.

As always, I'm here as a no-strings-attached resource for any real estate questions, market insights, or local happenings. Enjoy this week's updates, and reach out anytime!

Mortgage Minute

Mortgage rates are heavily influenced by the bond market. On Inauguration Day, traders were concerned about potential tariffs, which are believed to increase inflation and lead to higher rates. However, the President's executive orders on tariffs were less aggressive than expected, easing concerns and allowing bond yields to improve. This led to a stable mortgage rate environment, with the top-tier 30-year fixed rate remaining unchanged from last Friday.

The Insider’s Guide to Real Estate | Tips

If Your House’s Price Is Not Compelling, It’s Not Selling

There’s one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high. It might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could really boost your profit, but the reality is, it usually backfires.

In fact, Realtor.com says almost 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — have to reduce their price to get their house sold. And you don’t want to be one of them. Here’s why starting too high can lead to trouble, and how to avoid it.

Overpricing Pushes Buyers Away

With mortgage rates and home prices where they are right now, buyers are already stretching their budgets to make a move. So, when they see a house that’s priced too high, they’re not thinking, “I can negotiate.” They’re more likely to think, “next” and skip over your house entirely. An article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

And if they skip over your listing, you’ll miss out on the chance to get them through the door. That’s the last thing you want because fewer showings mean fewer chances to receive an offer.

The Longer Your House Sits, the More Skeptical Buyers Will Get

Here’s the other issue. An overpriced house tends to sit on the market longer. And the longer a house lingers, the more buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with it. Is there a problem with the house itself? Are you difficult to work with? Even if the only issue is the price, that extra time creates doubt. As U.S. News says:

At that point, you’ll have no choice but to lower your price to drum up interest. But that price reduction comes with its own downside: buyers may see it as another red flag, that there’s an issue with the house.

The Key To Finding the Right Price for Your House

So, what’s the secret to avoiding all these headaches? It’s simple. Work with a local real estate agent who knows the market inside and out, and who’s going to be honest with you about how you should price your house.

You don’t want to partner with someone who just agrees to whatever number you throw out there. That’s not an expert who’s going to get you the best results.

You want an agent who recommends a price based on their expertise. The right agent will use real-time data from your local market to help you land on a price that makes sense — one that grabs attention, attracts buyers, and still helps you walk away with a great return. Someone who has been there and done that – and done it well. That’s the agent you want to work with.

Bottom Line

Remember, if the price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling. Instead of shooting too high and scaring off buyers, work with a local agent who knows how to price it right.

Let’s team up and make sure your house hits the market with the right price, gets noticed, and gets sold.

Featured Listing

Colorado Springs Social Scene

Military News and Updates

El Paso County to consider forever chemicals testing agreement with Air Force

The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners will soon have an option on the table to formalize a forever chemicals testing agreement with the Air Force over wells at Fountain Creek Regional Park.

Todd Marts, El Paso County director of community services, said in an informal meeting with commissioners on Tuesday that the U.S. Air Force has been regularly testing wells for two forever chemical types in "surrounding areas" including the park. The agreement would formalize continued access for the military.

Feel free to reach out with any real estate questions—I’m here to help, no matter the state!

Referrals are the biggest compliment, so send anyone my way. Until next time!