Blog > This Markham Home Sold for $400,000 Less Than It Should Have Here's Why
This Markham Home Sold for $400,000 Less Than It Should Have Here's Why
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This Markham Home Sold for $400,000 Less Than It Should Have — Here's Why
A house in Markham recently sold for $1.1 million. That might sound like a reasonable number — until you find out it was originally listed at $1.5 million, sat on the market for three months without a single quality lead, and has a fair market value of $1.2 to $1.3 million. That's a $400,000 loss. And it didn't have to happen.
What Went Wrong
Let's be clear — the original listing price of $1.5 million was likely too high for today's market. That's fair. But the story doesn't end there.
After getting no traction at $1.5 million, the agent reduced the price to $1.2 million. The home then sold for $1.1 million — still $100,000 to $200,000 below what it was actually worth. That gap isn't a market problem. That's an agent problem.
Here's what the listing agent got wrong:
In today's market, buyers scroll before they visit. If your listing photos are dark, cluttered, or poorly framed, buyers move on. Professional photography isn't optional — it's the first showing.
Staging helps buyers emotionally connect with a home. Without it, they see an empty or cluttered space instead of a place they want to live. That emotional disconnect shows up in their offers.
A listing on MLS is not a marketing strategy. Reaching the right buyers requires targeted digital marketing, social media exposure, and a deliberate plan to generate demand.
Even when offers came in, the agent didn't have the skills or strategy to push the price where it needed to be. Negotiation is where thousands of dollars are won or lost — and in this case, it was lost.
What the Right Agent Can Do
This isn't speculation. Our team sold the exact same type of home in the same Markham neighborhood for $1.285 million — using the right pricing strategy, professional presentation, and skilled negotiation.
Listed at $1.5M, sold for $1.1M. Poor marketing, no staging, weak negotiation. Three months on market.
Same neighborhood, same home type. Professional photos, strategic staging, expert negotiation. Sold at fair market value.
That's the difference between leaving money on the table and walking away with what your home is actually worth.
Don't Let the Wrong Agent Cost You Hundreds of Thousands
If you're thinking about selling a property in Markham, don't leave money on the table. Contact us and we'll show you what a proper selling strategy looks like — and what your home can actually get in today's market.
🏆 Michael John Lau — Awards & Recognition
Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. This case study is based on actual market data and is intended for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary based on market conditions, property specifics, and marketing strategies. This guide does not constitute financial or real estate advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation. Not intended to solicit clients currently under contract with another brokerage.
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