Why Listing at “Search-Optimized” Numbers Protects Your Price

Most buyers don’t “browse.” They filter—by beds, location, and especially price. That single slider on Zillow/Realtor.com creates invisible price brackets (e.g., $300k–$350k; $350k–$400k). If you list on the right side of a bracket, you double your exposure; on the wrong side, you quietly cut your audience in half.

Here’s how to use search-optimized pricing to get more views, more showings, and better offers—without giving away a dollar.

The Big Idea: Price Where Two Audiences See You

Buyer portals and saved alerts use min/max price fields. That means:

• List at $350,000 → you appear to buyers searching up to $350k and to buyers searching $350k and above.

• List at $349,900 → you only appear to buyers searching up to $350k (you miss everyone who starts their search at $350k).

Result: Round “threshold” prices (300, 325, 350, 400, etc.) put you in two search buckets. That’s free reach—and reach is leverage.

“$349,900” vs “$350,000”: Which Wins Online?

Old-school retail psychology (“end with 9s”) mattered when buyers discovered prices on yard signs.
Online, filters win. The algorithm doesn’t care about 99s; it cares about whether you meet a min or max query.

Use 9s for in-between numbers inside the bracket (e.g., $354,900 to be the value leader among $355k–$360k competition).
Use round thresholds when you want maximum search exposure at a price band (e.g., $350,000, $400,000).

Real-World Impact (Wichita example)

Suppose your target is around $350k:

• Competition clusters at $355k–$365k and is sitting 20+ DOM.

• You launch at $350,000 with strong media and open-house buzz.

• You catch buyers filtering up to $350k and buyers filtering $350k+ who won’t even see the $349,900 competitor.

Outcome we see often: heavier first-weekend traffic, multiple offers, and a final price above list—because the right buyers found you.

How you price your home matters!  Who you list your home with matters!

Call 316-202-5515 today to get your customized marketing plan for your home.

Lesley Perreault, REAL Broker LLC.