Behind the Scenes - Series 1, Episode 7

The Power of Pricing – How We Determine the Right Price for Your Home

Pricing a home correctly is one of the most important steps in the sales process—and one of the most strategic. At The Simon Salm Team, we don’t just estimate your home’s value—we uncover it. Through detailed research, local insight, and a clear understanding of buyer behaviour, we aim to position your home in the sweet spot: competitive enough to generate strong interest, but strategic enough to achieve the best result.

Behind the Scenes: What Really Goes Into Pricing?

It’s a careful balance between data and instinct, and here’s how we get there:

1. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

We conduct a detailed review of:

  • Recent sales of similar homes in your suburb
  • Properties currently on the market (your competition)

We go beyond surface-level comparisons—adjusting for differences in land size, renovations, layout, and even street appeal.

2. Local Market Trends

Understanding the Redlands property market is about more than sales data. We consider:

  • Current supply and demand
  • Buyer sentiment
  • Compare with other sold properties
  • Seasonal shifts and broader economic factors

This helps us determine whether to price more aggressively or conservatively, depending on the market’s momentum.

3. Your Home’s Unique Features

No two homes are exactly alike. We take the time to assess:

  • Renovations and upgrades
  • Block size and usable outdoor space
  • Layout, flow, and functionality
  • Views, privacy, and natural light
  • Outdoor entertaining and lifestyle appeal

Buyers are emotionally driven. When marketed correctly, these features can significantly increase the value of your home.

 

4. Strategic Positioning

This is where pricing meets psychology. Our goal is to attract multiple qualified buyers by:

  • Pricing within active search brackets
  • Avoiding round numbers that can create drop-off (e.g., pricing at $799K instead of $800K)
  • Using a ‘Serious Offers Over’ strategy to generate strong interest and create urgency

We often recommend launching with a ‘Serious Offers Over' price, such as $749K, $779K, or $799K, depending on current conditions. This approach offers flexibility and broadens your buyer pool, while still aligning with your goals. In certain cases, we may also use ‘By Negotiation’—a strategy designed to spark enquiry and open up dialogue with a wider range of buyers, especially when the market is shifting or when a home has particularly unique features.

When combined with sharp marketing and professional presentation, these strategies can drive more inspections, encourage emotional engagement, and lead to stronger offers.
We know from experience that the first 2–3 weeks on the market are crucial. That’s when your property will attract the most attention—so the pricing needs to be spot on from day one.

5. Why It Matters

The right price:

  • Drives more buyer interest
  • Creates competition (which can lead to multiple offers)
  • Reduces time on market
  • Often results in a higher final sale price than starting too high.

6. Collaboration with You – The Seller


While we provide expert guidance backed by research and experience, your input matters. We always take your expectations, goals, and preferences into account when finalising a pricing strategy. After all, no-one knows your home like you do, and your comfort with the pricing approach is key to a successful partnership.

Thinking of Selling?

We’re always happy to provide a free, no-obligation market update on your home—whether you're ready to sell or just curious about where you stand in today’s market.

Let’s chat about your goals, and how we can help you achieve them with confidence.

 

Suburb Spotlight: Alexandra Hills

 

This month, we’re highlighting Alexandra Hills — a well-established and family-friendly suburb in the heart of Redland City. With its leafy streets, excellent access to schools and shopping, and a relaxed suburban feel, Alexandra Hills remains a top choice for homeowners and investors alike.

With an abundance of green space and strong community feel, Capalaba caters to everyone — from growing families and first-home buyers to savvy investors.


Location & Lifestyle

Located just 20km from Brisbane’s CBD, Alexandra Hills spans 13.7 square kilometres and offers a mix of peaceful living and everyday convenience. The suburb is home to 44 parks, providing plenty of green space for outdoor fun, sport, and family time. With everything from schools and shops to transport and medical facilities close by, it’s a suburb that truly caters to modern family life.

Real Estate Snapshot

The property market in Alexandra Hills remains solid, with continued interest from both buyers and investors. Here’s a quick overview of the latest figures:

  • Median House Price: $880,000
  • Median Unit Price: $581,750
  • New Listings (12 Months): 196 houses | 12 units
  • Average Days on Market (Houses): 51 days

Community & Demographics

Alexandra Hills is home to approximately 16,472 residents, with a modest but stable population growth of 1.3% over the past five years. The predominant age group is 30–39 years, and the area is largely made up of couples with children. With an owner-occupier rate of nearly 76%, the suburb has a strong community presence and a family-first atmosphere.

Market Activity

Recent market activity in Alexandra Hills has seen a mix of established homes and modern upgrades change hands. Here’s a snapshot of local sales:

  • 3 Trent Cct, Alexandra Hills - $1,135,000
  • 378 Finucane Rd, Alexandra Hills - $815,000

Rental Market

The rental market in Alexandra Hills is performing consistently, with strong demand from families and working professionals.

  • Median Weekly Rent (Houses): $650
  • Median Weekly Rent (Units): $580
  • Investors are drawn to the suburb’s high occupancy rates and stable rental returns.

Why Alexandra Hills?

With its central location, established infrastructure, and warm community feel, Alexandra Hills offers an easy, relaxed lifestyle. It’s perfect for families seeking space to grow, downsizers looking for convenience, or investors wanting reliable returns. The suburb’s mix of value, comfort, and long-term appeal makes it one of the Redlands’ most dependable performers.

Stay tuned for next episode

If you’re thinking of buying, selling, or investing in Alexandra Hills, we’d love to help. Reach out to our team anytime for expert advice tailored to your goals.

Until next time,
The Simon Salm Team

Answers to last months ‘Estate of Mind Questions’

Unscramble this word:
Contracts

Brain Teaser:
Pride

Trivia:
Melbourne