When it comes time to finally sell your home, many homeowners struggle to find the best way to list their property. Not only do you have to choose the right description, take visually appealing photos and videos, and ensure all the details are correct. You also have to organize all that information in a manner that draws the eyes and grabs the attention of buyers.
Nevertheless, the listing process is one of the most essential parts of selling any home, regardless if it’s a luxury property or not. To help you create a winning page that gets buyers excited, we’ve put together the following tips for listing your home. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Create a strategy with your real estate agent
About
42% of all buyers in the U.S. market in 2022 first found their homes with an online search. That means that it’s imperative that you leave a lasting impression on your potential buyers with an eye-catching listing that captivates on first view.
The first thing to do is reach out to your local real estate agent as soon as possible to put together a listing strategy. Have a meeting where you broach the topic of what you want to get out of the home sale. Ask questions like:
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Am I looking to sell for speed or for the maximum sale price?
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What is my schedule and the amount of time I’m able to set aside on the listing?
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What is my budget for contracting professional photographers, etc., to help with the listing page?
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How much input do I want to have on the finished product?
Be honest with the amount of time and effort you’re willing to set aside on the listing page. The more you’re able to dedicate personal time to this step of the selling process, the better outcome you’re likely to have in the end.
Start with professional photos and video
According to Realtor Mag, buyers spend about
60% of their time viewing the photos on any given listing page. The remaining 40% goes to read the specs of the property and your agent’s comments and details. That means you have to put the majority of your efforts into crafting the best visual appeal you can on your listing page if you want to draw the most competitive buyers.
First of all, you should avoid listing any photos of the home taken by a smartphone. Hire top-quality professionals to shoot all your photos and video tours if you are able since pro-tier photos help homes sell
over 30% faster than average. Ensure that every photo is bright and clear, emphasizing open spaces as much as you can.
Avoid cropping photos and make sure they are perfectly level. The order of your photos also counts. Try to place exterior photos first on your page, then the kitchen, dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms last. This order follows in line with the importance that most buyers place on each room in the home.
Spend time on the wording of the description
It may seem like the majority of listing descriptions are boilerplate, but the reverse is actually true. It’s always better, to be honest initially in the description so that you don’t surprise buyers with unmentioned flaws when they come to tour the property. The rule above all is not to set unrealistic expectations for your buyers, as you’ll likely sell faster to a clientele that understands exactly what to expect before visiting the home.
Your adjectives matter
in the description. Using “sprawling” to refer to a backyard that’s not so sizable isn’t as good as calling it “intimate” or “comfortable” and letting buyers make up their own minds. Don’t go over the top with language, either. “Ornate” or “luxurious” may be good descriptors of a living room with fine crowd molding. But you might catch more buyers by being precise and mentioning the materials used or the specific types of woods featured there.
The listing description isn’t the place to reiterate the basic details about the floor plan of the home. That information should come first, after the photos. Instead, use your limited space in the description to highlight what’s special about the house. Include specific brand names if you possess high-end equipment or furniture. Don’t overlook any renovations made recently, and be sure to spend some time mentioning handmade elements of the construction or rarities like stained glass or fine flooring.
Craft a one-of-a-kind title
Unless your particular listing service posts the property photos before including any specific words about the home, your buyers are more than likely going to
read your title first. That makes it the first point of contact you’ll make with future buyers--a huge opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
Opt for powerful, short words that are descriptive and specific. “New,” “mid-century,” and “Georgian” are three examples of title words that will draw the eyes of buyers. Why? These words, rather than ones like “deluxe” or “beautiful”, conjure an image in buyers who are looking for them.
Stress the quality and benefits of living in your neighborhood, if possible, in the title. If not, you may need to include this info in the description. Let readers know
how walkable the area is, how convenient the traffic may be, and any nearby amenities that make life exceptional.
Above all, be specific. If there’s a special theater, restaurant, or shopping district that’s just down the street, name-drop them. Strive to paint a clear picture of what living looks like at home rather than relying on buzzwords like “cozy” or “priced to sell” that buyers will likely ignore.
Reach out to a local real estate agent today
If you have any questions or comments to share, or you’d like more tips for listing your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch today! Contact
Courtney Benson Property Group for more information about Celina, TX real estate.
