When Your Dollar Is In The Details…

Okay…it’s time to confess: we look at those popular real estate listing sites as often as you do. While we pretty much live off the MLS Listing Service, we frequent Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow and RedFin because hey – we know that is where our clients often start their search, sometimes even before they pick up the phone.

While our professional commitment is to ensure that our clients have the absolute best representation possible as a buyer or seller, our personal commitment is exactly the same. Whether you are reading this as a friend, colleague or client – please note that the advice we are about to impart comes with the very best of intentions: make sure your agent puts your home’s best foot forward.

WOULD YOU BUY THESE HOMES?!

We know it sounds obvious, but as we scour online listings we can’t help but feel concerned for those whose homes have been photographed with toilet seats up, pots and pans on kitchen counters, backyards with un-mowed lawns or pictures clearly procured with iPhones. Even in a sellers’ market, no client deserves having their hard-earned investment demonstrated in any manner that is less than professionally pleasing and truly buyer-appealing.

We’ve developed a basic 3-step litmus test to help you ensure your home is truly shining in its best possible light. It probably doesn’t need to be said – but if you work with us, you will have every confidence that these strategies, and many more, will be utilized to maximize the return on your investment – and minimize the odds of someone saying ‘what in the world is THAT!”.

#1: A Picture Says A Thousand Words.

One of the most important aspects of the marketing your home is the photos: Photos taken with a real camera, by an industry professional, in carefully selected light – only once the home has been properly prepped and staged.  Real estate is quite possibly the most visual industry there is, and you’d be surprised how many people make a decision to tour a home based on photos. Make sure your photos drive people to your front door, rather than serve as a roadblock to even making it a stop on their GPS.

#2: A Multi-Media Approach Maximizes Visibility.

Once you have great photos – we hope you don’t stop by loading them on the MLS. Those photos should be utilized in high-quality print materials, in custom property websites, in targeted social media campaigns, etc. The sky is the limit with technology these days -and while we can’t spill all of our secrets – we can tell you maximizing your exposure in all the right places equates to maximizing the return on your current investment and into your next one.

#3: A Listing Clock Is A Real Thing.

The listing clock isn’t just your agent’s way of saying ‘let’s get this house on the market’. The listing clock is the way you make sure your home gets on the market in the time frame that will create a successful sale. Did you know there is a window of opportunity when your home is most likely to get multiple offers? Did you know that some holidays can help, or hurt, the days on market of your home? Did you know that over a certain number of days on market may lead to a 5% drop, or much more, in the sale price of your home?!

As you can see – your dollar really IS in the details! Whether you are a prospective seller, a future one, an active buyer or anyone who enjoys real estate – take some time to apply these tips to the homes you view online. It’s amazing what you can learn about a listing with a keen eye and a fresh perspective.

For more listing tips & tricks - be sure to check out the previously published posts below:

IF YOU THINK ALL LISTINGS ARE CREATED EQUAL

http://www.homesofsiliconvalley.com/If-You-Think-All-Listings-Are-Created-Equal

HOW WILL YOU MARKET MY HOME? | 7 QUESTIONS TO ASK

http://www.homesofsiliconvalley.com/How-Will-You-Market-MY-Home--7-Questions-To-Ask

OUR CURENT LISTINGS | MARKETING IN ACTION

http://www.homesofsiliconvalley.com/Current-Listings

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out: 408-596-5526.

All our best,

Mark & Jason