Most people know that curb appeal or a home’s exterior appearance can enhance the chances of selling a home at the best price possible. Not everyone understands how important it is to create online curb appeal in today’s digital world. With more potential buyers searching for homes online, how you present your home in online listings is more important than ever before. Follow these tips to improve your home’s online curb appeal.
1. Declutter and Clean
The same rules for traditional open houses apply in the virtual world. Decluttering and cleaning is the first step to improving online curb appeal. Rooms with minimal clutter and furnishings appear more spacious in photos and videos. Removing highly personal artwork, photographs, and collectibles is important. This helps potential buyers see your home’s features and imagine their family living in your house. The goal is to make your home look bright, clean, and spacious.
2. Optimize Your Layout
Too much furniture or the wrong layout can make your home look small and cramped in photos. Snap a few test photos to see if your current layout photographs well. If you’re planning to create a video tour, do a video chat walkthrough with a friend to see if you have a clear walking path between your furniture pieces. You don’t want to bump into furniture or trip over rugs while doing a live tour.
3. Hire a Professional Photographer
Your cell phone photos aren’t the best choice when it’s time to sell the most significant investment you own. Unless you are a skilled photographer, it’s worth the money to hire a professional to take the photos. A professional knows how to light interior and exterior shots and can use photo editing software to make every photo look its best online.
4. Write a Compelling Description
High-quality photos aren’t enough. The description accompanying your listing is equally important. Describe what readers can’t see in pictures or elaborate on what they can see. Mention specific appliance brands and upgrades and describe your home’s noteworthy features, whether it’s an updated kitchen, a beautiful view, or access to a community swimming pool.
5. Create a 3D Virtual Tour
A virtual tour is a must-have and will likely help your listing get more views and saves. Virtual home tours make listings more interesting and memorable. Data collected between April 2022 and June 2022 showed that, on average, listings with a Zillow 3D Home® tour got 68% more views than listings without virtual tours.
Talk to a Real Estate Professional
Selling your home begins with your online listing. Improving your home’s online curb appeal will go a long way to attracting potential buyers and selling your home at top dollar. Talk to a local real estate professional when you’re ready to put your home on the market. They can advise you on the best ways to market your home and can provide helpful information every step of the way. If you’re ready to sell, contact Sandra Meranda at 314-691-1320 for a free market analysis of your home.
