You see it still on occasion but it's rare. It was more prevalent a few years ago but didn't really gain traction. In a strong market it seems the upper price typically was the starting point and in a more competitive buyers market, the lower range seems too high especially for bottom feeders. If I remember correctly it seems this strategy started in San Diego with Prudential before they became BHHS in California.  I never tried it for multiple reasons primarily because it seemed too "flukey".

We used to have that option here but, the problem was the buyers would always Offer below the low number in the range. Do you guys use variable range there, Jeff?

It's not. I remember when Prudential was "pushing" it here about 20 years ago. It never took off. You give them a lower range and buyers would start making offers below it. They just didn't get the idea. I haven't seen a property offered in a price range for at least 15 years.

Nope, an old concept that did not go over somewhat like the Edsel. Lots of fanfare out of the gate & then nothin'.

I always thought it was just stupid.

We do not have it. I think it sounds odd. I agree with Kenneth J. Jones. Buyer will want to pay the lowest and seller will want to receive the highest. Seems like it would cause more problems. We all already know that an asking price is negotiable (sometimes to lower and sometimes to higher). -K 

It's a SoCAL thing Jeff. From all whom I've asked in my network, no one, including NorCal agents have ever heard of it. It's a Prudential marketing scheme from 1990's in San Diego, made it's way up to OC & LA but not much further it seems. I discovered it 15 years ago when I moved here and thought "amateurs"!

I've never seen it in this area and not sure how our MLS would even accomodate it.  They put in ONE number, not a range.  And normally in our area all prices are considered negotiable, so you've got a built in range already depending on the competition available.

This was a thing when I worked for Pru 2004/2005. I also distinctly remember my broker at the time saying we're not doing it, even though it was in our marketing pieces.

Jeff,

I know that San Diego is known for this type of pricing, and originated it many years ago.  Personally, I find it disingenuous.  I would not go near any home that was priced that way, and Kenneth J. Jones said it well.  And Kasey & John Boles also made a good point...and it is also indicates a wishy-washy seller...A

Not very common in my area. 

I seldom see it.  When it occurs, it usually is for property with more than one lot. Price is $x for house or $xx for house and adjacent lot.

Heard about it years ago but not used in my area.

Nope.  Seen it once.  My reaction: "If they're willing to accept 599,900, why not just price it there?"

No it is not common in our market and no I do not use it. It wouldn't make sense to have it, as buyer are going to go in on the low price and probably offer lower unless in a bidding war. Right now our market is very close to being a buyers market.

We do not, although I know this is common in other markets.  For me, the listing price is the asking price - why the variable?

1. Not at all Jeff. 2. I have never used it. 3. Most buyers will not come up to the lowest price in the variable. 

I've never used it.... rarely do you see a listing promoted in that fashion.... I could never understand why anyone would use it....

It's an option for us to use here, but I've never used it or seen it used by other agents. A serious buyer's offer will reflect how serious they are about buying a property. Variable range might confuse some buyers, but there will probably be some serious buyers that offer the high range amount if they really want the house. And a lower price could have better terms than an offer at the high range.

The traditional way i.e. I ask for a price and you agree or counter etc. works for me. This spread says: I want anything in this range. OK...The buyer will go the lowest part and you will do what?

Range pricing was a fad. It seems to have gone away. I always thought that it was stupid. I would make the offer at the low end of the range if the seller has indicated that price. Why would I offer more unless there was a multiple offer situation?

Not common in my area. 

I have never understood value range pricing.  It's something we can do, but if a seller wants to go for the max money, why on earth would they show a low end of what they would potentially accept?  I don't get it.

Several years ago it was a trending thing to do.  I am not a fan of it. Just make your offer and be done with it. 

There is only 1 company that doe sit in my area, and makes every buyer mad when they offer the low amount and the seller states they only want the high amount. 

I have never used a range or seen a range used in our market.

No, I haven't seen it in our area. I remember Bryan Tutas always writing about it on AR. 

It was one of the dumbest ideas that a company can try...could you imagine your pasta dinner will be $6.99 to 9.99? Take a guess at what the price ends up at? IF you only brought $7.50 with you then why order?  

A company here tried it, for a minute.

I have not noticed it.

No.

It was tried by one franchise awhile back and it was a resounding dud.

We tried to adopt it statewide in Florida with 65 offices across the state and the backing of a major national franchise many years ago when the idea first surfaced.. The resistance was high and the attempt failed. 

Very rarely do we use it.

No.

Not common here also.

No, our MLS requires a certain price, not a range.

It was introduced around 2004, during the "hot" real estate years and believe was used in California more, but never took root in Connecticut. It's kind of hard to explain to sellers and make them comfortable with it.

Have not seen it in a long time in Denver.

Jeff ~ I have never seen a property listed under that option in my 15 years here in Northern Virginia, though it has been an option over that time.  We just switched over to BrightMLS and think it is still an option, but not 100%.

From my perspective, it just doesn't make much sense for the seller and leads to confusion.  Price it right from the start at a single number and get it sold...