Real Estate Marketing

Tips, tools and gadgets to help you market your properties online.

Tips for Putting Together Great Marketing Photos

How to Get Those Home Photos That Sell a Property Fast

If you’re a fan of reality TV and those fix-it-and-flip-it shows, you’ve probably noticed that in addition to the show’s host(s), there’s typically one constant: The photographer. And there’s good reason for this. Those skilled in real estate selling know photography can make or break a potential buyer’s attraction to the property, limiting showings and potential offers.

First Impressions are Everything

While it may not be easy to figure out what makes a good photo, identifying bad ones is pretty easy. So how can the average agent ensure better shots? Consider:

What do you want the viewer to see?

Draw the viewer’s eye to what you want them to remember: A stunning fireplace; industrial appliances; a massive pool… When taking shots, focus on this feature, omitting surrounding unnecessary and distracting objects.

Have you lost the bigger picture?

While ‘zooming in’ on key features, be careful not to literally lose the bigger picture. In focusing on those industrial kitchen appliances, did you fail to reveal the kitchen size and layout? Wider shots help buyers make sense of what they’re seeing. Figure out what angle works best, and take lots of photos, zooming in/out.

Are photos too dark?

Brighter is better. That being said, lean toward natural light over light fixtures, allowing a space’s charm to shine through. Clear days are ideal. If lighting washes out shots in rooms with large windows, consider timing: Maybe a morning/afternoon shot or cloudier day could improve the outcome.

Did you skip prep work?

Eradicate clutter, ugly stains, magnet-covered fridges and unmade beds pre-session. Tidy = clean and low-maintenance in the buyer’s eye.

Are your photos tech-poor?

Skip the smartphone for a high-def digital camera – or hire a pro.

Real estate selling can be a tricky business – but photography doesn’t have to be. Get the tips and tricks you need to ensure success with the help of Properties Online today.

Tips to Help Your Buyers Dress Their Home for Fall Selling

Just because the weather cools down, doesn’t mean real estate selling will. The fall market has typically always been a hot buying season, with shoppers continuing to peruse post-back-to-school and pre-holiday season listings. How can you make the most of fall sales?

Eight Tips for Attracting Fall Home Buyers:

1. Clear Overgrown Summer Vegetation.

Wild bushes, runaway summer vines, fading flowers and foliage, and leaf buildup should be cleared away from the home, ensuring a clear path to the entrance and making the property appear low maintenance.

2. Add a Touch of Autumn Curb Appeal.

With mums, marigolds, pumpkins and gourds along the sidewalk and stairs.

3. Add a Touch of the Outdoors, Indoors.

After rooms have been decluttered and depersonalized, bring them by to life with the energy of autumn: Red, orange, and gold throw pillows; Autumn-inspired quilts and throws; Pine cone and nut table centerpieces; Orange candles; Bold autumn accent pieces in groups of 3 or 5.

4. Make Windows Sparkle.

Clear interior window smudges, then head outdoors, removing windows screens, bug and plant debris and cleaning the entire window area.

5. Maintain, then Light the Fireplace.

Have the chimney professionally maintained and key safety items attended. Then clean and decorate the fireplace surround and mantle with fall flare, lighting it when buyers come for a showing.

6. Think with Your Stomach.

Fill a bowl with crisp apples, then set out fresh pumpkin muffins or simmering apple cider.

7. Lighten Things Up.

With cooler weather, days are shortening, and this can darken rooms. Combat this by turning on every light in the house for showings (including closets).

8. Leave Treats.

As a parting treat, encourage prospective buyers to leave comments, leaving a bowl of snack size candy bars in return.

Fall real estate selling doesn’t have to be scary. Treat yourself to the latest real estate selling tricks from Properties Online today.

Selling Real Estate Can be Based Alot on Presentation. Make Sure Your is Up to Par!

Are Your Sellers Kitchen Cleanliness Standards Driving Off Buyers?

When it comes to real estate selling, it’s easy for homeowners to overlook detritus. Dust-laden lights. Dirt-encrusted appliances. Countertop clutter. Over the years, all the issues within the home simply blend into the background. However, these issues shout out to buyers. The kitchen is the heart of the home. When it’s not looking its best, it can give potential buyers a heart attack – and send them screaming for an alternative place to shop.

When is it Time for the Seller to take Intervention?

If your listings are lagging, consider if kitchen cleanliness may be the cause. Always take action, informing sellers when you see these showing detractors:

– Trash: Real estate selling 101 – Take the trash out. Its smell turns off buyers. If a home looks or smells unclean, buyers will assume it’s uncared for.

– A Preponderance of ‘Stuff’: The kitchen tends to be ground-zero for stockpiled stuff. Cohabitating with clutter may be just fine for homeowners, but it detracts from the home, making the kitchen look small and useless.

– Animal Stuff: Fecal-containing ‘potty pads’ and litter boxes send buyers for-the-hills.

– Weird Stuff: Hair salon chairs, exercise bikes, and taxidermy supplies do NOT belong in the kitchen. If it’s not what Martha Stewart would showcase in her kitchen, clear it out.

– Grease Bombs: Fryers filled and coated in grease, grease-splattered hood ranges and walls, and the lingering scent of the drive-thru in the air do not make for a welcoming kitchen environment. A friendly gift of degreaser and a box of Magic Erasers may be in order.

– Pests: Pest droppings = pest infestation. (Battling pests? Hide the evidence.)

– Filthy Appliances: Buyers often take a peek in (and under) appliances to gauge the level of care homeowners dedicate to home care.

Homes lingering on the market? Don’t let your turnaround times take a hit. Step-up your game with these and other real estate selling tips and technology from PropertiesOnline today.

New Agent Tip: Jump Into Selling New Construction Homes – What to Know

Given the shortage of resale inventory in lower price brackets, new construction homes are luring consumers and inspiring a rise in building. This offers a great opportunity for helping buyers find the perfect home. However purchasing from a builder is a lot different than purchasing a resale home, and it’s essential for your clients to know the risks.

Real Estate Selling Tips for Avoiding New Construction Sales Pitfalls

– Make Sure Buyers Know Why They Need You

New construction sales teams represent the builder, with their interest at heart. With no agent representation, buyers are assuming a lot of risk. There’s no reduction in price/commission for purchasing without the aid of a buyer’s agent – builders don’t want home sales values to take a hit. Buyers won’t save any money, but lose access to a representative that will ensure key sales and build details don’t get overlooked or forgotten. Builders expect to pay buyer’s agent commissions, pocketing the difference when none exist.

– Expect to Negotiate

Builder’s reps will often give the idea sales prices are non-negotiable. While there’s not as much wiggle-room as resale homes, there is some leverage. For those that won’t budge, look to closing cost contributions or upgrades.

– Use Timing to Your Advantage

Knowing when to hold/fold can save your clients a ton: Builders aren’t emotionally attached. Big bargains can be leveraged if the builder has inventory that’s lingered on the market. Alternately, reserving a property before a second-phase addition begins can also mean big savings.

– Understand Upgrades

Get to know upgrades, ensuring buyers know which features of model homes are standard or an added cost.

– Educate Yourself . . .

. . . on architectural and site design, blueprint reading, construction methods, and materials so you can assist clients in making the best choice for their new home.

Do you have the real estate selling tips you need to navigate new home sales? Secure a brighter future with the help of PropertiesOnline today.

How to Become a Social Marketing Expert for Real Estate

Become a Social Marketing Expert – What You Must Know and Do

From computers and cell phones to today’s array of online tools and smartphone services, great agents know how to put technology to work, and social media is a huge weapon in their sales arsenal. Do you have the real estate selling tips you need to leverage it to your best advantage?

Social Media Can Help You Reach New Heights

A people-centered industry, social media is the life blood of today’s successful agents. It’s where the masses live. 81% of Americans have a social media profile, an arena which is expected to encompass over 200-million people by 2020. And it’s where a key demographic lies: Those using social media live in the suburbs, are more educated, and earn over $75,000 per year, prompting professional marketers to boost their social media budgets. Done right, it’ll bring in mad money. Done poorly, however, and it’ll leave your reputation in the gutter.

Keys to Using Social Media Wisely

– Know Your Neighborhoods

Facebook and Twitter are the bread-and-butter of the business. Instagram and Pinterest ideal for star-worthy, visually-enticing listings. LinkedIn a great tool for referrals on the B-2-B end.

– Market with Purpose

The primary reason for moving into social media neighborhoods is to bring in L-E-A-D-S. Keep this in mind with all your efforts, always including a response option (call/email/text) so readers can easily follow-up with you, as well as a strategy for providing the rapid response, essential to snagging today’s customers.

– Be a Teacher, Not a Salesperson

Truly interesting, helpful information is a rarity these days. Provide it, and you’ll shine like a star, gaining recognition and leads.

– Mesmerize Your Audience

Marketing with video gains more views and has a higher conversion rate. Embrace video. Americans are well-known for their love of moving pictures.

Do you have the real estate selling tips and tech you need to help you build your real estate brand quickly and easily? PropertiesOnline has you covered. Learn more today.

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How to Get Those Home Photos That Sell a Property Fast
October 16, 2018
If you’re a fan of reality TV and those fix-it-and-flip-it shows, you’ve probably noticed that in addition to the show’s…
Tips to Help Your Buyers Dress Their Home for Fall Selling
October 2, 2018
Just because the weather cools down, doesn’t mean real estate selling will. The fall market has typically always been a…
Are Your Sellers Kitchen Cleanliness Standards Driving Off Buyers?
September 18, 2018
When it comes to real estate selling, it’s easy for homeowners to overlook detritus. Dust-laden lights. Dirt-encrusted appliances. Countertop clutter.…
New Agent Tip: Jump Into Selling New Construction Homes – What to Know
August 30, 2018
Given the shortage of resale inventory in lower price brackets, new construction homes are luring consumers and inspiring a rise…
Become a Social Marketing Expert – What You Must Know and Do
August 28, 2018
From computers and cell phones to today’s array of online tools and smartphone services, great agents know how to put…