95% of of 1st impressions for a real estate are online. That means the first showing for the property does not take place during a drive-by, nor is it in an expensive, printed print marketing piece. It’s not at an Open House, not at a private showing and it’s most certainly not in a newspaper ad. The first impression happens online. These “1st showings” as we’ll call them could be on redfin, zillow, trulia, the Keller Williams website, my personal website, Facebook and almost always on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
For this reason it is critical that the first impression for the home is clear, accurate and absolutely professional. I take a lot of pride in putting together my online listing because if I don’t, buyers WILL NOT take the property seriously and might just skip along to the next one. Some of the things I include in my listing are as follows:
- Professional photos (not taken by me but rather a Professional Photographer that I have worked with before)
- Abundant and accurate details on the home (the more the merrier)
- Professionally measured floorpans
- A history of home property improvements (if the seller can make this information available)
- The lead paint disclosure
- Instructions for how best to submit an offer
- Any pertinent neighborhood information or selling points
- A fair description that doesn’t mislead potential Buyers in any way. What a shame if they show up a feel like they have been “tricked” somehow
If you know someone looking to sell their home and who is unaware of the importance of online exposure, please educate them and point them in my direction!
