Back in the ’80s, buyers typically searched for homes by browsing newspaper listings and “asking around”. Not any more. Today’s buyers are used to the instant information of websites and apps, and they expect the home buying experience to be no different.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 99% of Millennials (who make up a majority of first time home buyers) utilized online listings as a part of their home search. More than half of the time, an online search is the first step buyers of all ages take in their purchasing process, even before contacting a realtor or lender.
When placing your home on the market, your realtor should be ready to optimize its position in the virtual marketplace. Here are four strategies that you can expect.
High Quality Photos
Because buyers are searching for homes online, first impressions of a property are usually made without even setting foot inside. When the time comes to sell your home, your realtor will likely take high quality images of both the interior and the exterior of your home so that buyers’ initial glimpses of your spaces are flawless. Some realtors will even recommend using drones to capture aerial views of your property, especially if there are special features such as water frontage or large acreage. You can help your realtor in this all-important sales strategy by decluttering all interior spaces, sprucing up the landscaping, and de-personalizing wall hangings (take down family photos and children’s names) before the photos are taken.
Detailed Information
If the photos of a home look good, buyers will then typically scroll down to read more details about the property, much like you would before making a purchase on Amazon. Your realtor will want to provide virtual prospects with information on your home’s best features, your neighborhood’s appeal, and any other significant selling points. Before your listing goes live, make sure to communicate important details with your agent. New appliances, recent upgrades, or costly maintenance procedures that have been performed (such as roof replacement, septic pumping, or pool resurfacing) are all huge selling points in the virtual marketplace, so be sure to let your realtor know about them.
Virtual Tour
Some realtors like to market homes using virtual tours. These tours can come in the form of slideshows, video footage, and even interactive floor plans. Data indicates that 50% of buyers use and appreciate virtual tours.
If your neighborhood is saturated with homes for sale, your realtor may recommend using a virtual tour strategy to add to the appeal of your listing. If this is the case, you may need to provide floor plans or be available for additional filming. Just be patient and trust that your realtor has your home’s best interest in mind.
Social Media
Once a listing goes live, your realtor will likely share the link on professional social media pages to increase the online traffic. This helps to target local buyers who may just be casually looking and forgoes weeding through the national "big box" sites. If you’re active on social media, be sure to share those links as well. Word of mouth is still a powerful tool in the virtual marketplace, after all!
Our team at Coastal Life Realty is dedicated to keeping our finger on the pulse of real estate sales trends. With the help of these general strategies PLUS the utilization of our top-ranked website, MerrittIslandCocoaBeachHomes.com, we can help you navigate the virtual marketplace with excellence, whether you’re selling or buying. Give us a call or send us an e-mail today!
