Definition of "Ask price"

Nelson Montanez  real estate agent

Written by

Nelson Montanez elite badge icon

Brass Moon Realty

Ask Price is the initial listed price for a piece of real estate.

It’s important to understand that, in the real estate world, there’s no such thing as a fixed price when buying or selling a property. Fixed price is a concept you can only apply when the product in question has scale, so you might have a fixed price on rental properties of a building, however, when buying or selling a property, the homeowner does not set a price so an interested home buyer can acquire it by merely paying that value.

It is more of a bargaining routine, where the home seller sets a price - the so-called ask price - he/she believes corresponds to the worth of the property. Then, it’s up to the interested home buyer to make his/her own assessment of worth - the so-called offer price - and make an offer to the home seller. If both agree to it - the so-called Fair Market Value - the house is sold.

Although the asking price is thoroughly studied by the homeowner and the professionals surrounding him/her - especially the agents and the Appraiser - the most common scenario is to have the home buyer offering a lower amount of money than the one the home seller set as the property’s asking price. When that happens, the home seller usually makes a counteroffer and both of them go back and forth until they can agree on a fair market value for the property.

There are sometimes when you’re in a Seller’s Market or the house is so unique, that a home buyer might make an offer higher than the ask price in order to secure the house. It’s rare, but it happens.

Real Estate Advice:

Take a look at our Real Estate FAQs. Maybe the answer to those frequently asked questions will help you understand the big picture better.

And check 
The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® to find an agent to help you with whatever you can't find on our website (if that's possible!)

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

A company that is terminated within 3 years. According to the tax law, a gain arising from the sale or liquidation of such a business is considered ordinary income to the individual ...

An account into which payment is made for particular expenses to assure that money will be available. An example is a special account the homeowner's attorney establishes for advance ...

Also called functional depreciation. Loss of value that results from improvements that are inadequate, outdated, overly adequate, or improperly designed for today's needs. May be curable or ...

Device that cuts off an electric circuit when the current becomes to strong. ...

Most typically, the definition of real estate spread implies the difference between the price offered by a home buyer and the initial amount asked for by the seller of real property. It ...

Structure built into the water from the land providing a facility for boats to tie up. A dock will often provide utility access ...

Restoring real property to an improved state. The restoration is usually needed because the property's condition has worsened. ...

A method of brick construction where the bricks are laid with their sides facing outward. ...

Return before taxes on the capital invested in real estate property. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions