Facts from a 2008 Nielsen Online Property Report show that 9 out of 10 consumers turn to the internet when they are beginning their search for real estate. Because virtually everything is done online these days, selling your home should be no exception. The widespread reach of the internet allows sellers to connect with thousands of potential buyers with just a few simple clicks. A good real estate agent will help not only facilitate your sale, but will also assist you with harnessing the advertising power of the internet to ensure that you sell your house as quickly as possible.
To gain access to a qualified real estate agent who has a strong working knowledge of online listing techniques, you can find out more about LocalAgentFinder and compare agent proposals. The right real estate agent will not only most likely have their own company website, but will have experience listing properties on a variety of popular websites. You can click here to register your property and get started.
Some of the top listings sites today include:
If your property is not up on these sites, you’ll want to get in touch with your agent to ensure that your house receives maximum exposure.
Basic Listing Information
There are a few basic pieces of information that should be included in any listing. These include:
- The address of your property
- Contact details for your agent (or yourself if you plan on showing your own place)
- The house sale price
- The number of bathrooms and bedrooms
- Extra rooms or features
- Number of stories in the property
- The land plot size
- The style of your home (townhouse, unit, condo, apartment, etc.)
- Whether the property is furnished vs. unfurnished
- Appliances included
- Heating or cooling systems
- Swimming pool, recreation areas, or other interesting features
These are the basic facets of any listing that should answer many potential buyer questions about your property. As your real estate agent drafts this list, you can look it over to see if there are additional features that you feel should be included.
It’s important to remember that when potential buyers are reading this online listing, they will also be looking at other homes in your area. Comparable homes will have roughly the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms as your own property, so take care that your ad highlights the special features that make your home unique. This could include a spa bath, a swimming pool, or a fireplace. Stonework, wood flooring, and updated kitchen features are other amenities that could make your listing more interesting.
Try to make your ad appeal to the widest demographic possible. For instance, if you have a terrace, you could describe it as a children’s play area to appeal to family buyers, or an outdoor entertainment area to appeal to young couples. Describing it as an al fresco dining area will appeal to a broad range of clientele. Discuss the buyer demographics in your area with your real estate agent to get a feel for which approach will work best in your listing. Choosing a local agent using the free online dashboard at LocalAgentFinder can help facilitate this.
The Importance of Photos
Photographs are also extremely important tools to help make your internet listing stand out. Include as many photos as the listing website will allow you to have, showcasing each room if possible. At the very least, it’s important to include photos of the front and back of the property along with important communal areas such as the kitchen and living room. Without photos, all your potential buyers will see is a long list of features, without the proof to back it up.
Your real estate agent can arrange for a professional photographer to assist you with taking these photos. In general, the rules for good real estate photography include the following tips:
- A wide-angled lens on the camera will make rooms look more spacious.
- Taking multiple photos of each area will provide you with a variety to choose from to best represent your house.
- It’s worth taking close-up shots of unique features in the home, such as a stone fireplace, spiral staircase, or vintage chandelier.
- Using photo manipulation software can be used to edit your photos, adjusting the colour, tint, and saturation for more appealing results. You can also crop and resize photos while optimising them for use on the internet. Most professional photographers will utilise these tricks.
Another feature that can be used to positive effect is a virtual online tour. Virtual tours give buyers a 360 degree view of a room, allowing them to take an online walk-through before they decide to come see it in real life. The more information a buyer has about your property, the easier it will be for them to make a decision. A combination of written facts, photographs, and virtual tours will give the buyer as much information as possible in an online environment. Some listings websites will also allow you to upload videos of your home, which is another facet to look into.
As you consult with your real estate agent about all the ways to market your property, it’s important to include online listings in your strategy. Online advertising is low in cost compared to other forms of print media, and now more effective than ever.
What’s next?
The first step is to get in touch with a real estate agent in your area who knows the best listings sites for your demographic. Register now at LocalAgentFinder to find the right fit for your advertising needs, and reach an audience of thousands of buyers on today’s top listings websites.
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