“There’s a buyer for every home,” the old adage states. The trick is, of course, reaching that buyer.
Nine out of 10 buyers today search the internet first to find a new home, according to a report by Google and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This includes local agents’ websites, YouTube, Facebook and other platforms. So, it makes sense that digital tools should figure significantly in a successful marketing plan.
But that doesn’t mean that sellers should ignore traditional marketing techniques. “What’s important is attracting the ideal buyer in a timely manner,” says Chris Richardson, president of Richardson Properties in California. “The bestmarketing plan utilizes a variety of targeted sources to showcase your home.” Experts suggest utilizing these techniques to attract interest from buyers:
- Social media marketing
Choose a broker who has a strong social media presence across multiple platforms. Just the influence of a trusted agent’s name through these channels can help market your home to a wide range of buyers. Information is key here. Giving a buyer who goes online as many facts as possible, including details like area maps, property taxes, maintenance fees and school district ratings, encourages interest from potential customers. A website
without this information is likely to lose out to competitors. - Online display listings
Where your home is marketed makes a difference. It’s vital that you find a real estate agent familiar with the best listing websites beyond Zillow. To draw in a large group of people, you need to present your home on a site that is attractive, loads quickly and is easily navigable. - Photography and videography
Professional photographs can mean the difference between a buyer clicking through for details or bypassing a listing altogether. A filmed, virtual tour can also provide buyers with a simulated “walk-through” before they even set foot in the house. Your agent can track statistics on how many buyers have viewed your listing through this digital tour. - Open houses
It’s a given that you’ll get a few browsers just out for an afternoon stroll, but buyers are often more comfortable taking a look at a place first at an open house. This scenario can also gives buyers a sense of the competition and may push them to make an offer sooner. - Print marketing
Feature sheets list all your home’s facts and figures and have the advantage that buyers can take them with to help remember specific details later. An article in a local print magazine or old-fashioned postcards can also be beneficial in getting the attention of a specific buyer.
To navigate selling or buying a home in this digital age, count on the agents at
Richardson Properties to provide you with the tools for a successful experience.
The agency has more than 40 years of experience throughout California, so they can provide local expertise and insight. Plus, Richardson Properties is also exclusively partnered with Christie’s International Real Estate if you’re buying or selling in the luxury market domestically or overseas.
Visit RichardsonProperties.com or call 805.781.6040 to get started today.