How Can I Help with Marketing My House?

Devote some time to thinking about your buyers. With new homes listed everyday, homebuyers have plenty of options. If you market your house properly, prospective buyers will find you and be attracted to showings. While you may choose to work very closely with your agent during the marketing process, here are a number of tactics that you can try on your own.

One of the most important steps in marketing your home is taking good photographs. As many homebuyers and real estate agents conduct their initial research online, a flattering collection of photos is essential to your listing.

·         Begin your photo shoot outside with shots of the entire property – cropping out the sidewalk and street – and move in to take close-ups, snap pictures that highlight the best exterior features.

·         Remove cars from the driveway and clear plants that block a view of your front door. 

·         Inside, take at least one photograph of every room. Though you may choose not to display every room in your listing, you may find some great images where you least expect. Open all of the blinds or curtains, turn on lights, remove personal photos and undesirables, like garbage cans, from the frame.

·         In the kitchen and dining room, place floral arrangements on the table to add a peaceful atmosphere to the space. As you move from room to room, focus on the most interesting aspects– be it a large closet in a guest bedroom or a fireplace in the living room.

·         When you are finished, the photos you have taken should represent all the best elements of your home.

Work with your agent to place adequate signage on the property.

·         A useful sign should list the agent’s name and contact information and, if necessary, additional contact information for the nearest real estate office.

·         If you reside on a quiet residential street, ask the neighbor residing on the corner of the nearest busy street if you can place a small, directional sign in their lawn.

·         Take-one boxes with fact sheets should be 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. It can also be used during open houses, as a reminder to prospective buyers. Feature one or more of the photos used in your listing on the fact sheet.

There are a number of advertising options available to you and your agent.

·         List your property in real estate sections of local newspapers, or even local real estate publications. Check printing dates and browse through an issue to make sure your home is a good match for the type of publication

·         Explore internet opportunities for home sellers. There are numerous classified sites and databases that prospective homebuyers check daily, many of which offer free listings.

·         You and your agent can also use the internet to publicize your open house and offer additional details that were not featured in your print ads.

Schedule an open house with your agent.

·         Granting prospective buyers an opportunity to view your home in person is often one of the most important steps in selling a home.

·         Prior to the open house, your agent should actively seek ways to attract prospective buyers.

·         If an interested buyer or agent is unable to visit your open house, your agent can also arrange private tours to make sure prospective buyers have a chance to see your home.

Utilizing some of the above mentioned tactics will help increase the odds of prospective buyers finding your home – and getting them to your front door is the first step in making the sale.