When to Price Low to Spark a Bidding War (And When Not To)

When does it make sense to price low for a bidding war?

The strategy to price low for a bidding war works best in a strong seller’s market characterized by low inventory, high buyer demand, and for homes that are highly desirable and in excellent, move-in ready, or turnkey condition. Let’s take a closer look at when this pricing strategy might make sense for your home sale.

You’re in a hot seller’s market

If your property is in an area where there are more buyers than available homes (an active seller’s market), pricing a little low can be a smart move. Key indicators include low Days on Market (DOM) and a high percentage of homes selling for over their list price. In these conditions, buyers are already primed for competition. An attractive price acts as the catalyst that channels that competitive energy directly toward your property.

Your home is in a desirable location and condition

Homes that are good candidates for this strategy typically have broad appeal. Think of properties in sought-after neighborhoods, zoned for top-rated schools, and in pristine condition. Buyers should be able to walk in and immediately picture themselves living there without seeing a long list of fix-it projects. If a home is well-maintained and stylishly presented, a lower price will feel like a rare opportunity, not a red flag.

An experienced agent can help you identify which updates and repairs can increase your chances of creating the “I found a deal” impression with buyers and possibly starting a home bidding war.

The timing is right

Seasonality plays a major role in buyer activity. The spring and early summer months are traditionally the busiest homebuying seasons, with a larger pool of motivated buyers actively searching. Listing your home during this peak period can maximize the number of potential bidders and create a sense of urgency, as buyers often time their moves for nice weather or to accommodate school and family schedules.

When should you avoid pricing low?

You should avoid the price-low bidding war strategy in a buyer’s market, if your home has unique flaws that narrow its appeal, or if you are not financially or emotionally prepared for the risk that it might not work.

It’s a buyer’s market, or if the market is slow

In a buyer’s market (an area with high inventory and low buyer demand), this strategy will almost certainly backfire. With plenty of homes to choose from, buyers aren’t compelled to compete. Listing your home for a low price will likely result in receiving a single offer at or even below your asking price, effectively locking you into the low number you were hoping to exceed. A good listing agent will recognize these conditions and recommend a pricing model that fits the market.

Your home has significant drawbacks

If your property has issues, like a busy or noisy road location, a dysfunctional layout, deferred maintenance, or needs significant renovations, a low price won’t create a home bidding war. Instead, buyers will perceive the price as a reflection of the home’s flaws. For these types of properties, it is far more effective to price the home accurately based on its condition, attracting buyers who are specifically looking for a fixer-upper project or are willing to overlook the drawbacks for a fair price. Attempting to underprice a home with known issues can signal desperation and lead to even lower offers.

You can’t afford the risk

This pricing strategy is a calculated gamble. The worst-case scenario is that you only receive one offer at your low asking price. If you are relying on achieving a specific sale price to afford your next home or meet other financial goals, this may not be a risk worth taking. A more conservative approach, like pricing at market value, provides more predictability.

You’re concerned about the appraisal gap

A bidding war can easily push the winning offer above the home’s appraised value. Since a lender will only finance the loan based on the official appraisal, this creates an “appraisal gap” that the buyer must cover with their own cash. For example, if the winning bid is $550,000 but your home only appraises for $525,000, the buyer needs to come up with an extra $25,000. This is a common reason for deals falling through after a bidding war. A seasoned agent can help vet buyers on their ability to cover a potential gap, but it remains a significant hurdle that can derail your sale.

The role of a top real estate agent in a bidding war strategy

A top real estate agent will know if you should price high or low. If circumstances are right, they are also your key to successfully executing a low-pricing strategy. A good agent will accurately set the initial price, create a marketing blitz to generate maximum buzz, and skillfully manage multiple offers to negotiate the best possible outcome for you. Here’s what that looks like:

Data-driven pricing

This is where a top agent shines. They don’t just pick a number that “feels” low. They conduct a detailed comparative market analysis (CMA) to determine your home’s true market value. Then, using hyper-local, up-to-the-minute data, they recommend a strategic price point that is just low enough to create a frenzy without undervaluing your property. This data-driven approach is what separates a successful bidding war from a pricing mistake.

Strategic marketing

To create a bidding war, you need a set of interested, qualified buyers in a very short time frame. A top agent will put together a marketing plan designed for maximum impact. As a seller, you should ask potential agent candidates to explain their marketing approach in detail before you hire them. Their plan should include things like:

• Professional photography and staging: Making your home look its absolute best online.
• Coming Soon listings: Building anticipation before the home officially hits the market.
• Mega open houses: Funneling all interested parties into one or two packed events to showcase the high level of interest. (This creates that sense of competition mentioned above.)
• Broker and agent networking: Spreading the word through their professional networks to ensure every agent with a potential buyer knows about your property.

Managing offers and negotiations

This is arguably the most critical step. An expert agent will set a clear deadline for all offers, creating a firm timeline for buyers. As offers come in, they will organize them, vet each buyer’s financial stability (including their ability to cover an appraisal gap), and communicate with all parties to leverage the competition. They skillfully negotiate not just for the highest price, but also for the strongest terms, such as waiving contingencies or offering a flexible closing date.

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Alternatives to the home bidding war strategy

If the price-low bidding war strategy feels too risky for your situation, there are other proven alternatives to help you achieve a successful sale. You can price your home at market value for a more traditional sale, opt for certainty and convenience with a competitive cash offer, or use a buy before you sell program.

Pricing at fair market value

This is the most common and straightforward pricing strategy to sell your home. By listing your property at its accurate market value, you attract serious, well-qualified buyers who are prepared to pay a fair price. This approach avoids the potential pitfalls of a home bidding war while still positioning you to receive strong offers, often at or very near your asking price, in a timely manner.

Exploring a cash offer with HomeLight’s Simple Sale

If you need to prioritize speed, certainty, and convenience, a cash offer can be an ideal solution. HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides a no-obligation all-cash offer for your home within 24 hours. You can skip the open market entirely — no showings, no staging, and no repairs. Close in as little as 10 days or pick a closing date that works for your schedule.

Leveraging HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program

If your primary motivation for a quick sale is to secure your next home, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program offers a modern alternative. This program lets you unlock your home equity upfront, so you can make a strong, non-contingent offer on your new home and move in right away. (And you only move once.) After you’re settled, you can sell your vacant, staged former home with the guidance of a top agent. You and your agent can apply the best pricing strategy without the pressure of a tight timeline.

Get expert guidance on your pricing strategy

Deciding when to price low to spark a bidding war (and when not to) is a complex decision that requires a solid understanding of your local market and your tolerance for risk. While it can lead to a sale price that exceeds your expectations, it can also fall flat without the right conditions.

At HomeLight, we believe the single most important factor in the success of any home sale is working with an expert who can provide a data-driven pricing and marketing plan. Our free Agent Match platform analyzes millions of real estate transactions and thousands of reviews to match you with a top-performing agent in your area who has a proven track record of selling homes for more money.

»Find a top agent today to get a winning strategy for your home sale.

You’ll find more helpful tips and guides in HomeLight’s Seller Resource Center.

Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr/ Unsplash)