June 22, 2018
Selling a home is a constantly evolving landscape that offers a roller coaster-type experience for those in the market. One of the ways it has evolved is in its listings—putting a home on the market and seeing who bites. With the Internet in the palm of buyers’ hands and social media adding a personable touch to housing, real estate agents are finding new ways to entice and engage potential buyers.
With rising home prices and locked-in lower interest rates, it’s currently still a seller’s market, according to the Washington Post. But even though the ball is still in a seller’s court, they need to act fast when selling their property. Since this is the case it’s imperative for real estate agents to craft a well thought-out listing that covers more than just their basics. Here’s some advice for real estate agents on some do’s for a home listing with some don’ts sprinkled in:
Be SEO-Friendly
SEO or search engine optimization refers to strategies used to improve the chances someone will see a specific page or website. The whole goal is to get not only on the first page of Google’s search engine, but the first listings at the top of the screen. To increase SEO for a listing, try to anticipate the keywords and phrases that buyers would be typing in when looking for a home in your area. There are resources available to help with the best keyword phrases to use in an online listing featuring the best ways to rank among neighborhoods, developments, parts of town, etc.
Create Some Buzz(words)
In your experience as a real estate agent, it’s probably safe to say you’ve noticed that some words are more attractive to potential buyers, while other can draw them away. Words like “luxurious” and “beautiful” can work fine, but it’s good to strike a personal chord with buyer by using more effective words that communicate specific qualities and trimmings of a property. On the flip-side you’ll want to avoid that are too overly-promising or overhyped, essentially painting an untrue picture of what buyers can actually expect. Misrepresenting the property could leave you liable for a claim.
Let Buyers Feel Right at Home
One reason why someone is looking for a new home is because they are looking for a new place to feel at home in. It is one thing to talk about square footage and features of the property, but it’s much better to help the buyer(s) visualize a space. Yes, there are videos, augmented reality features, and images that can do this, but in the physical content listing it’s important to create an experience that jumps off the page. You want to make the reader enjoy the amenities and rooms and ambiance by telling a story with more romantic and creative writing.
What’s more, it’s definitely a need to post pictures online that show every aspect included, from rooms to bathrooms, garage space to walkways to yards. Show clear and high-definition images that give a crisp look at the property entirely. But don’t overdo it with the visuals as this can offset interest from buyers. Having visual overload may backfire with too many pictures to flip through and too many of the same kinds of looks at the property.
As you navigate the housing market, it’s absolutely crucial that you have a liability insurance policy specifically designed for real estate agents and brokers. You have a fiduciary duty protect the interests of your clients, and any dispute or breach of duty could potentially lead to a claim or a lawsuit.
About Associations Liability Insurance Agency (ALIA)
The ALIA Team (part of the Riverton Insurance Agency Corporation), specializes in helping real estate professionals find the affordable and comprehensive coverage they need, without the hassle. ALIA dates its roots to 1991 with the founding of FREA, Foundation of Real Estate Associates. In 2013, ALIA was created to work with multiple insurance companies thereby broadening the portfolio of products to customers. In 2017, ALIA was purchased by Riverton Insurance Agency Corp.