Home Marketing Tips
Slowing market conditions make it more difficult to sell homes, yet some homes still sell. So, why do some homes gets offers and others sit on the market? The answer has very little to do with the home itself. Here are a few time-tested marketing tips to sell your home faster.
A picture is worth a Thousand words
Pictures speak volumes and are noticed before the written word. Most home buyers begin their search online, hence good photos are essential. Listings without a photo or with only an exterior shot are often passed over. Begin your photo shoot outside the home and try to snap pictures that highlight the finest features of your home.
Virtual Tours
There is no better way to initially view a house than in the comfort of one’s own home, looking at a 360-degree tour. Some buyers won’t even consider a property listing if it doesn’t include a virtual tour.
Plan an Open House
Providing prospective buyers an opportunity to view your home in person is one of the most important steps in selling a home. Your agent would actively seek for prospective buyers and arrange private tours for those unable to attend the open house. Although not every home is suitable for an open house, it is a good idea if your home is located in a high traffic area.
Don’t overlook Print and Online Advertising
Print advertising reaches buyers who read newspapers. Online ads reach the rest. Put ads local newspapers and real estate publications. The general rule-of-thumb here is to keep it simple and short. Stay with the main facts and features (number of bathroom and bedrooms, proximity to schools, etc.) and remember to keep descriptions short and concise.
Say it with Signage
Most buyers tour the surrounding neighborhood of where they would like to buy. This fact makes lawn signage very economical and powerful marketing tool. Provide buyers with your contact details. Professionally designed lawn signage provides credible visibility that will motivate buyers to look closer and get more information.
Provide a Takeaway
Color copies of your real estate listing profile page made available to buyers greatly helps them remember your property and it’s positive features. One or more of the photos used in your listing should also be included on the fact sheet available outside your home. This takeaway brochure will typically list the details of your home – number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and lot size – and can also be used during open houses as a reminder to prospective buyers.
Buyer Incentives and Agent commissions
Offer incentives to attract buyers. Besides a low price, incentives may include offering a unique home warranty package, paying non-recurring closing costs or providing flexibility about the move-in date. Also offer competitive commissions to agents.
Home Staging
A well staged property can give a buyer that extra push to make an offer. Presentation is everything here. Buyers are naturally attracted to clean, well lit and maintained properties. Before putting your property on the market, remove counter clutter and make sure rooms are neat and tidy Make simple aesthetic changes to your property such as mowing the lawn, trimming hedges or planting flowers.