There have been countless hours I've spent touring homes with unrealistic expectations. I am usually a very optimistic person, so if there isn't a photo of a part of the house, I assume it's like a hotel. I know, I know, I shouldn't get my hopes up for every house, but I do. And when I finally walk through the doors to see a 2-star quality place that's priced like a Ritz, I get disappointed. If only the listing would have told me the secrets of the funky floor plan, my head would have been prepared for the visual confusion of a 1910 craftsman home that's been converted 5 times and my eyes could have seen it as character instead of a downfall.
Whether you are selling your house or renting it, there are key points you should include in the listing advertisement. If you have a well-written ad, the potential buyers/renters will have correct expectations when touring the home. Don't waste your time showing property to people that are not going to buy/rent it. No one is fooling anyone once they step into the house.
Here are 4 time saving tips to include in your listing advertisement:
- Take a short panorama photo (in your phone camera settings) or purchase a wide angle lens. By allowing more of the room into the frame, you let the buyer or renter visualize their things in the space. Too close of photos are not very helpful.
- Take pictures of the main parts of the house: Kitchen, bathrooms, living space, and yard/patio/balcony. Don't forget the laundry if there is one!
- Include a floor plan. If you don't have a floor plan, list the bedroom and living room dimensions. Can I fit a King bed in the master? Is my sofa too large for the living room? Buyers will want to be able to plan for the move and sell furniture that won't work in the new space.
- Describe any funky features in the text. Most of these spaces don't photograph well, but if you describe them, the buyers will be looking forward to seeing it at the open house. Have a rental income basement? A backyard with no fence? Is the refridgerator in a location that's not the kitchen? Mention this now.
When the advertisement is clear and well-written, the buyers touring the open house are more likely to be ones that will buy the home. And isn't that what we want?
