Being in the right price bracket on Centris: the factor that (really) makes all the difference

Being in the Right Price Bracket on Centris: the Factor That Really Makes All the Difference

You can have the most beautiful photos, a meticulously written description, and an aggressive marketing strategy… but if your property isn’t in the right price bracket on Centris, you’ll lose a large portion of your potential buyers.

In today’s Quebec market, the right price isn’t just about “how much it’s worth.” It’s about visibility, psychology, and strategy.

In this article, we’ll see why the price bracket is so crucial on Centris, and how to choose it well to sell better… and faster.

1. How does price search work on Centris?

Most buyers aren’t looking for a house “around $550,000.”

They search between $500,000 and $550,000, or between $550,000 and $600,000.

In other words, they use predefined price ranges in the Centris filters (for example: 300–350k, 350–400k, etc.).

Result:

• If your property is $554,900, it won’t appear for those searching up to $550,000.
• If it is $602,000, it won’t appear for those searching up to $600,000.

A simple wrong position in the bracket makes you disappear from the screens of hundreds of serious buyers.

2. Price, first visibility filter

On Centris, buyers filter first:

1. The area
2. The property type
3. The price

If you are:

• Slightly overvalued: you end up in a bracket where comparables offer more for the same amount. You automatically become less attractive.
• Poorly positioned in the bracket: you’re at the top of a range, in direct competition with larger or renovated homes.

Direct consequences:

• Fewer clicks
• Fewer viewing requests
• An appearance of a “too expensive” property even before the first visit

3. The dangers of overvaluation on Centris

Overvaluing your home “to leave room for negotiation” seems logical… but it’s often a costly mistake.

Concrete effects of a price that’s too high:

• Fewer visits in the first weeks (the most crucial period)
• The listing stays online longer
• Buyers and brokers start to wonder:
• “What’s wrong with this property?”
• You end up having to reduce the price… sometimes lower than if you’d set the right price from the start

On Centris, a property that accumulates several weeks or months of exposure sends a clear signal:

“ The market HAS NOT accepted this price. ”

And it becomes a strong argument for buyers… but against you.

4. The risks of under-valuation

Conversely, some opt for a very low price strategy to create a bidding effect.

Yes, it can work in certain areas and contexts (very hot market, high scarcity).

But there are risks:

• Attract buyers who don’t actually have the budget for the property’s true value
• Receive multiple offers, but at disappointing amounts
• Give the impression that the property has hidden problems (“Why so low?”)
• End up with a final selling price below market value

The secret isn’t in overvaluation or undervaluation:

it lies in the right price, in the right bracket.

5. The right price = more visits, more competition, better negotiation

When your property is in the price bracket where your target buyers are, several things happen:

• You appear in Centris’ automatic alerts (buyers who receive notifications as soon as a property matches their criteria)
• Your photos are seen by more people
• You generate more viewing requests in the first weeks
• You increase the chances of receiving more than one offer at the same time

And all this often translates into:

• A faster sales time
• A smaller negotiation margin (buyers see the property is sought after)
• A final sale price closer to – or above – the asking price, when demand is strong

6. How to determine the right price bracket on Centris?

Here are the main steps used by brokers to target the right range:

a) Analysis of recent comparables

• Properties sold, not just listed
• In the same area
• Of similar type (house vs condo, same number of bedrooms, etc.)
• Comparison adjusted for:
• Overall condition
• Renovations
• Land
• Garage, parking, view, etc.

b) Reading local market trends

• Is it a sellers’ market (low inventory, many buyers)?
• Average time on market in your area
• Level of bidding or not

Depending on the context, you can aim for the low, the middle, or the high end of the bracket.

c) Positioning strategy on Centris

Concrete example :

• Estimated value: around $550,000
• Common search brackets:
• 500–550k, 550–600k

Options :

• 549,900 $ :
• You appear in searches up to $550,000
• You’re at the top of this band, often among the largest/most beautiful homes in this category
• 559,000 $ :
• You fall into the 550–600k band
• You’re at the bottom of this bracket, competing with properties potentially better equipped

This simple choice can completely change your buyer pool.

7. The psychological impact of price

On Centris, the buyer moves from one photo to another in a few seconds.

The price serves as an immediate mental reference:

• If it’s too high for what they perceive in photos, they move on to the next one.
• If it’s “logical” for them, they click to learn more.
• If it seems competitive, they feel a sense of urgency:
• “This may go fast.”

The right price creates an alignment between:

• What the buyer sees
• What they think it’s worth
• What they’re willing to pay

8. Re-adjusting your price bracket: when and how?

Sometimes, despite good preparation, the market responds differently than expected.

Signs that a price adjustment is needed:

• Very few viewing requests
• Several weeks online without an offer
• Recurring comments during visits:
• “We like the house, but the price… ”

A strategic adjustment can:

• Reposition you in a more active bracket
• Give your listing a second wind
• Rise your property in searches and alerts

The important thing is to base this adjustment on real data (online view statistics, comparable solds, current market conditions).

Conclusion: the right price bracket is your best lever on Centris

Being in the right price bracket on Centris isn’t a technical detail.

It’s the foundation of a smart marketing strategy in Quebec.

A well-positioned price:

• maximizes your visibility
• attracts the right buyers
• shortens your n% sales time
• improves your bargaining power

Before thinking about decoration, home staging, or social media campaigns, first make sure you’re exactly where your buyers are looking for you: in the right price bracket.

If you’re considering selling and wonder which price range to position yourself in on Centris, the best instinct is to request a detailed market analysis for your area. A good price in the right place is often the difference between “for sale”… and “sold.”