How to Price Your Flips So They Actually Sell

Caleb Foster

Jan 29

2 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

You made your money when you bought it. You collect it when you sell it. Pricing is how you make sure you actually collect, instead of staring at a listing for six weeks.

Know your range before you list

You should already have a rough idea of what it’s worth before you bought it. If you don’t, start with How to Know What Something Is Worth Before You Buy It.

The fastest way to find the top of your range: look at the nicer listings for the same thing. Usually those are posted by other flippers with clean photos and staging. Message a few. If they sell in a week or two without a price drop, that’s the top of the market. If they keep dropping, that number was too high.

Facebook doesn’t show sold prices, so this is your sold-price data.

Start on the high end

List at the high end of what you think it’ll sell for. Great deals sell fast, but full-price sales can take a week or two. That’s normal. Be patient for that first stretch.

Read the messages

Lots of “Is this available?” and nobody follows through: normal. Not a sign you’re too high.
Lots of serious messages in the first day: you might have priced it too low. Note that for next time.
Nothing serious for 1–2 weeks: you were too optimistic.

Drop it in steps

If you go a week or two without serious interest, drop the price every few days until messages start coming in. Small, steady drops. Facebook also notifies people who messaged about your listing when the price drops, so each drop puts you back in front of interested buyers.

You can also accept a reasonable offer under asking at this point. See How to Negotiate When Flipping for handling lowballers.

Don’t chase a home run

Even $20 over what you paid is a profit. Not every flip needs to double your money. A small profit that sells this week beats a big one that sells never. And every flip that sits ties up money and space you could be using on the next one.

Price for the season

The same item is worth different amounts at different times of year. Patio sets, grills, and AC units sell for more when it’s hot. Couches and tables often sell better in fall after moving season. If you bought out of season, sometimes the right price move is to wait. More in Seasonal Flipping.

Your listing affects your price

The same item with great photos and a detailed description sells for more than one shot in a dark garage. Before you drop your price, make sure your listing isn’t the problem. Read How to Take Photos and Write Listings That Sell.

Add delivery

If you have a truck, offering delivery for a flat $20–$40 can get you full price on big items that otherwise sit. More in How to Make Extra Money With a Truck.