How Will a Real Estate Agent Market Your Home?

There may be many reasons why Canadian residents may be interested in selling their home. Some common motivations include needing more space for a growing family, not being satisfied with the property, or a job transfer. Some may choose to sell a home themselves but can be in for a rude awakening when not taking time to properly market their home. That is why the majority of homeowners choose to work with a licensed agent who is experienced with marketing a listing and helping it stand out.

Drive more traffic to a listing and attract multiple offers with a properly marketing home. Learn about the techniques agents use to market homes in Canada today.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Home Improvements Suggestions

An agent is in the unique position to know what features can appeal to a targeted group of buyers and what issues may cause concern. They often make suggestions before listing a home and after showing to help a homeowner best showcase their property. Aside from a deep cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing the space, a home and surrounding property may need a few repairs to make it more presentable and potentially garner a higher offer. A homeowner may need to:

• Make minor repairs to a home;
• Paint doorways, steps and dull-looking trim;
• Add landscaping; and
• Store away furniture and personal items to improve the flow.

Suggestions are often dictated by the condition of the home and expectations of the surrounding community. Those who have put off routine maintenance, repairs or upgrades may have more to do to get the property ready. Of course, a homeowner may choose to sell their home as-is, but doing so may lead to fewer offers or potential buyers looking to negotiate a lower price. It often pays off to listen to recommendations as some simple upgrades can have a high ROI for the homeowner.

Use of a Professional Photographer

Now is not the time to snap a few pictures with a mobile phone and call it a day. Potential buyers are comparing listings with images on their phones, tablets and other devices. Professional level photography can capture images of a home in the best light and offer multiple images that can provide a virtual walk-through of the property.

An agent that wants to sell a home will want to talk to a homeowner about getting professional photography done. After staging the property, they may make suggestions for the day photos are taken, such as removing toys or cars from the driveway. It may also be necessary to have the property photographed at specific time to benefit from the natural light during a particular part of the day. With potential buyers using mobile devices to search for available properties, it is necessary to have professional-quality photography done and a single exterior shot is not good enough. A professional photographer will include exterior photographs of the yard or pool, in addition to a front exterior shot and interior shots of the home's rooms and spaces.

Potential Drone Photography or Virtual Tours

Some agents go to the next level for some properties. While the average homeowner may only need professional photography, a more luxurious home can benefit from drone photography or virtual tours. This can help buyers see features of a home without having to step on the property and can highlight features with aerial photography that would not be able to be captured at the ground level. Virtual tours can include a script to give more details on the property, any pertinent historical facts and special features. Properties with unique geographic features or that may appeal to an international audience are good candidates for drone photography and virtual tours.

Pricing Strategy for a Home

One of the most important aspects of marketing a Victoria West home for sale is to determine a price that is suitable for the property itself and the current local market. When there are many similar homes on the market, such as with a buyer's market, a homeowner may have to lower their asking price or go with offering attractive contingencies. Not doing so may cause a home to stay longer on the market. Motivated sellers often work with their agent to determine how to initially price their home and what other options they have to attract better offers sooner in a competitive market. A seller has more of an advantage when there is less inventory available for potential buyers and may choose to stick with a higher asking price. However, many factors play into creating an effective pricing strategy, such as the condition of a home and how quickly a homeowner wants to sell their home. Many find it useful to discuss their unique situation and needs with an experienced local agent.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.