In today’s increasingly digital world, home sellers must be more marketing-savvy to attract buyers than they were back in the days of simply placing “for sale” signs in the front yard. To give you a head start, we’ve compiled a list of trending techniques that will give your home exposure to the widest pool of buyers possible.
Take Great Photos
Particularly in the fall and winter holiday months when everyone is pressed for time and temperatures begin to drop, buyers turn to online listings as the first step of their home search. It is absolutely essential to showcase only professional-quality photos of your home with proper lighting online; otherwise, it’s that much easier for a potential buyer to simply click through to the next listing without giving yours a second glance. Think about including photos that highlight your home’s landscaping in other seasons as well.
Cater to Millennials
45% of mortgage borrowers in 2019 were millennials, according to Realtor.com’s housing forecast—and the numbers are only expected to rise in 2020. As more and more millennials get older and find stable careers, they look to buy their first homes. For millennials, using the internet to research potential homes is vital, and they are very concerned about two specific things: quality oversize and a low-maintenance lifestyle. While square footage still matters, millennials are more impressed with the sustainability and usability of a home. Energy efficiency is extremely important to them, and they look for residences with smart appliances and other high-tech upgrades. If your home doesn’t offer them, millennials will likely look elsewhere or lower their offer so they can upgrade after they buy.
Hire a Real Estate Agent Who Utilizes Strategic Marketing
It is imperative that you work with a realtor who is not only knowledgeable about the local market, but is also tech-savvy and understands how to market to today’s buyers. Creative marketing is a must when it comes to making your home stand out, and agents backed by a brokerage with strong marketing departments like Surterre Properties® make strategizing easy. A good example of creative print marketing is flyers or postcards that advertise your property alongside a schedule of upcoming NFL games, community events, and neighbor letters to surrounding property owners. Social media posts and virtual home tours are also smart ways to market your home.
Depersonalize Your Home
One of the most crucial things to do when selling your house is to de-clutter and de-personalize. The more personal effects on display in your home—think family photos, knick-knacks, keepsakes, etc.—the less potential buyers can see themselves living there. For the duration your home is on the market, put these items in storage. Also consider hiring a home stager to further help buyers imagine themselves in your home.
