Creating a great first impression is key when selling your home as it could be the difference between someone viewing your house as an investment or not. Research from Strutt and Parker even emphasizes this point, showing that 76% of purchasers would judge a book by its cover in this scenario. As a realtor, you have various options to make your listing more attractive to potential homebuyers. Here are some tips:
1. Remove clutter.
Before selling your home, it is imperative that you declutter it and make it presentable to buyers. If you do not, they will automatically assume two things: that the house is not worth as much money (as clutter can decrease a home’s value by up to a tenth of its real worth), and that you are an incompetent agent. To avoid these negative presumptions, hire a professional cleaning service to clean your house so it looks its best.
2. Make buyers imagine living in the home.
Creating a scenario in each room is an excellent way to make your home seem more appealing to buyers. For example, if you have freshly baked cookies in the oven when they arrive, they’ll get a literal and figurative taste (and smell) of how living there could be. This will leave a lasting impression that will make them more likely than before to consider purchasing the home.
You’re not limited to just the living room; you can create scenarios in any room of the house. For instance, place some flowers in the bathroom or put fresh sheets on all of the beds. If you want to really go above and beyond, set up a romantic night scenario complete with candles, wine and background music in the master bedroom (this is especially effective if your buyers are young couples). And if you have a dog that’s well-behaved around strangers and unfamiliar places, bring them along! Having a pet present makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves livings there. As long as what you’re doing helps the potential buyer visualize themselves enjoying life in your home, it’s fair game.
3. Push for repairs and aesthetic improvements
There are a few ways to make your house more alluring from the street. Cut the grass short and shape up your plants; you can do this on your own, or hire professional help that you can reimburse with your commission from selling the house. Alternatively, bring color into the equation with some flowers or other plants.
Keep in mind that significant external damage diminishes a house’s curb appeal and may reduce the property’s value by up to 10%. Curb appeal is the term for how attractive a property looks from the street. It’s what makes buyers want to come to see the property and, hopefully, make an offer on it. To improve curb appeal, check that all windows, doors, and walls are clean and free of any damage since these can be seen from the outside. If there are any broken or missing roof tiles, be sure to repair them as soon as possible.
Explain to the homeowner that potential buyers will be turned off by any damage present in the house, and offer to compensate for the cost of repairing said damage by slightly increasing the selling price. Emphasize that a quicker sale is more beneficial than a higher asking price. After all, if someone is given the choice, they would rather buy something in great condition than something that is broken.
4. Update the decor.
If you aspire to sell your home in the near future, it would be a worthwhile investment to update its decor. Many individuals are seeking homes that they can move into without having to put any additional work in; thus, anything that looks outdated will likely deter them instantly. More often than not, after buying a house people want to avoid spending more money and energy on redecorating; however, if done correctly—and with professionalism—the homeowner has the potential of recouping the cost from what is made via selling the property. If you partner up with an interior designer who transforms your home’s style while still meeting your budgetary restrictions could work well for all involved parties.
5. Get advertising specialists.
An advertising agency or team of specialists can help increase the number of people who see your listing. Their expertise means that they are able to place your ad where it will be seen by as many potential buyers as possible. This is especially beneficial if you’re not experienced with marketing or managing websites and social media profiles. Advertising teams also include specialists who can take charge of commercial photography and even make beautiful video walkthroughs. Using their services will likely lead to more inquiries from interested buyers because more people will have seen your listing.
Advertising professionals can also help you by taking care of the inquiries you receive. This way, instead of worrying about paperwork or meeting potential buyers, you can focus on negotiations to up your chances of closing a deal or even getting a higher price for the property.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are a few things you can do as a realtor can do to increase the likelihood of selling your clients’ properties. From making repairs and aesthetic improvements to updating the decor, these tips will help your property stand out from the rest on the market. If you’re looking for a bigger reach, consider working with an advertising team or specialist. With their help, you’ll be able to reach more potential buyers and close a deal faster—all while maximizing your profits.
