Wonder what home sellers NUMBER ONE response was to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) question of what they want from their Realtor? The answer was help in marketing their home.
As an agent for over 20 years and having sold in good and bad markets, marketing will always be the difference maker. In today's market, listing agents focus on ensuring that their clients' homes stand out amongst the competition. It is important that home sellers ask a prospective listing agent they are considering hiring to list their home what the methods and timelines will be used to expose their home to the great buyer audience. In the recent past when inventory and interest rates were low, some agents that were newer to the industry, didn't need to master and implement a comprehensive marketing plan. It's so important to work with an expert local agent that knows what they're doing.
According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes, and how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively (see graph below):
- MLS Listing – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. And that’s great for you because having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people who see it, the more likely it is to sell.
- Networking with Other Agents - Agents that have an extensive network through their brokerage and their Realtor networks also provides an added advantage to promote their listing to agents whose buyers may be looking for a home where your listing is a match.
- Yard Sign – A yard sign may seem simple, but it’s one of the best ways to catch the attention of people driving or walking by. And when it does, they’ll help spread the word to friends and family who are looking to buy that there’s a house for sale in the area. It also puts your agent’s contact information on display, making it easy for interested buyers to get in touch.
- Hosting an Open House – An open house is a great way to create a sense of competition and urgency among buyers – and that can lead to stronger offers. And since you’ll only need to leave once for many buyers to visit, it makes the process easier for you, too. Plus, an open house helps your agent get real-time feedback about what buyers love and what they're not as sold on.
- Showcasing on Your Agent’s Website – Having your house on your agent’s website presents it in a professional way to buyers. And odds are, people visiting your agent’s website are serious and ready to make a move, so this is a smart way to get in front of motivated buyers.
- Social Networking – Posting your house on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linked In, and X helps get your house in front of buyers who may not have seen it with traditional marketing. It also makes it easy for people to share your listing with friends and loved ones who may be looking for a home.
- Providing Virtual Tours – For buyers who are relocating from out of town, virtual tours allow them to check out your house anytime from wherever they are. This helps reach more potential buyers who may not be able to come to see your house in person.
- Using Video – Video is an excellent way for your agent to show off some of the top features of your house like your kitchen, large closets, outdoor entertainment areas, and other key details that could attract buyers.
- Sending Emails – Sending out information about your house to your agent’s expansive database is another way they’ll get it in front of even more people. Great agents may even send emails teasing that your house is coming to the market as a way to boost interest and excitement before it officially has an open house.
Here’s what it comes down to. Most good agents will write a description of your house for the listing and pair it with high-quality photos. But a great agent will do so much more than that. They will evaluate any new prospects or marketing tactics each week to ensure that it remains competitive and has a strong local and global presence. Furthermore, they will provide weekly updates to home sellers on their activities and strategies to keep their sellers aware of all aspects in the marketing of their home.
They’ll not only lean on their expertise, they’ll put in the time and effort to make sure your house makes an impression on buyers, and ultimately, sells.
Thinking about selling your home and want to be sure you are setting yourself up for success? Call me today to schedule a confidential consultation.
