07/30/24

In the digital age, first impressions often happen online. It’s why social media and a great website are key marketing tools in any industry, including ours. In fact, a recent survey concluded that about half (47%) of homebuyers identified looking at properties online as their first step to buying a new place. Furthermore, almost all buyers say the internet plays a role in their hunt for a new home and named photos, detailed information about properties, floor plans and agent contact information as must-have ingredients for any good online listing.

With all that in mind, let’s talk about digital curb appeal. Physical curb appeal is a subject real estate professionals know well because it’s about making sure your property stands out from its competition. But what should you know about its digital cousin? Think about it as the modern equivalent of ensuring a home’s exterior is inviting and attractive. Here’s how to make your listings shine bright in a crowded market.

High-quality photography

• Professional photos: Invest in professional photography to showcase properties in the best light. Well-lit, high-resolution images can significantly enhance the visual appeal.
• Staging: Properly stage homes before photographing. Clean, declutter, and add tasteful decor to make spaces look inviting.
• Variety of shots: Shoot a mix of wide-angle shots to show entire rooms and close-ups of unique features. Highlight key selling points like updated kitchens, spacious living areas, and beautiful landscaping.

Engaging property descriptions

• Compelling narratives:  Words still matter. Write descriptions that tell a story. Instead of just listing features, paint a picture of what it’s like to live in the home. Use descriptive language to evoke emotions and excitement.
• Key information: Ensure all essential details are included, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any recent upgrades. Highlight unique selling points like proximity to schools, parks, and shopping centers.
• Bullet points: Use bullet points to list key features for easy scanning. (Like we’ve done in this blog post.)  It makes it easier for potential buyers to grasp the main attractions of the property quickly.

Virtual tours and other organic videos

• 360-degree tours: Produce virtual tours that allow potential buyers to explore the property online. These immersive experiences can give a better sense of the space and layout.
• Walkthrough videos: Create short, engaging walkthrough videos. Narrate the tour to highlight special features and provide additional context.
• Interactive floor plans: Provide interactive floor plans that allow users to click on different rooms and see corresponding photos or videos.

Optimized listings for mobile viewing

• Responsive design: Ensure that your listings are mobile-friendly. After all, the internet hasn’t been just for computers for several years. Many potential buyers browse properties on their smartphones, and a seamless mobile experience can keep them engaged.
• Quick load times: Optimize images and videos to load quickly. Slow-loading content can frustrate users and lead them to move on to other listings.
• Easy navigation: Make sure the listing page is easy to navigate, with clear calls to action for scheduling a tour, requesting more information, or viewing additional photos and videos.

The bottom line is that upping the digital curb appeal of your listings should help you generate more clicks, views, and inquiries, which should ultimately lead to faster sales, stronger offers and more overall business. Getting started, though, requires emphasizing your words, photos, videos and more.  

No matter how your business is this season, our teams are here to do whatever it takes to make you look good for your customers. Reach out to us anytime!