How Do I Attract Buyers to My House?
(Written for Segalo Media as per request)
Selling a house can be a daunting experience. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five things you can do to attract buyers.
It’s no secret that the internet has made life easier for everyone, especially people looking to buy a home. All it takes is a quick Google search, a read-through of house listings, and a phone call to a real estate agent. That’s the beginning of a buyer’s search in 2023. Beyond easy access, people want a house in good condition – outside and in – with some eco-friendly characteristics.
Being eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean sellers need to reinvent the wheel. For some, it can be as simple as cosmetic touchups with sustainable paint or even LED light bulbs. Here’s why you need these to attract buyers to your home…
1.) A Virtual House Listing is Your Best Friend
Ninety-six percent of home buyers used the internet to search for homes in 2023, and according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that also means buyers had the ability to do online walkthroughs of a house before they ever contacted a realtor. It’s in your best interest to create a listing with detailed information about the property (ie, number of bathrooms, bedrooms, appliances, location etc.), and that also allows people to interact with the house. The Zillow app permits you to take photos and create a 3D tour of your house just for this. Ultimately, interested parties will want to know as much as possible before picking up their phone to email you or an agent.
“Our homes with Zillow 3D Home have more views on Zillow — on average 15% more.”
— David Rudd, Real Estate Agent, Kindred Realty Group
Now, should you hire an agent? According to that same research from NAR, eighty-six percent of all buyers purchased their home through an agent. The option to deal with someone familiar with the market and the buying/selling process made buyers feel confident in their decisions. Plus, as a seller, it can be a relief to leave the bulk of the work to a professional. So, should you hire a real estate agent to attract buyers? We think so.
(Are you interested in learning more about buying and selling? Click here.)
2.) Cosmetic Touch-Ups Are A Must For Viewings
The first thing buyers see of your house is the exterior, so pretty up the lawn and clean the windows! This also includes highlighting the garden, the porch, or the size of the yard in photos (if there is one). Buyers should be excited to continue and these touch-ups should continue inside as well. If you have a furry friend make sure the carpets and sofas are properly cleaned, and any children’s toys are stowed. The home should be tidy but also empty of any personal items since the buyer will be attracted to a space where they can mentally envision their future. They may ask themselves, ‘Can I see myself living here?’
3.) Is it in Good Condition?
NAR states, “Most recent buyers who purchased new homes were looking to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing or electricity at 41 percent.” That’s a lot of people looking to save money on additional fixes. If your house is teetering on the edge of a nasty disaster then we recommend correcting those issues prior to listing and if you’re unsure of what needs to be tweaked then you can hire an inspector. They will evaluate the house and share their findings with you. It’s safe to say that buyers are attracted to something they won’t have to sink money into.
(Don’t want to fix anything? Check out House Guys for Cash offers.)
4.) Consider Installing Eco-Friendly Features
When people hear the term ‘eco-friendly’ they often think of electric cars, solar panels, and wind turbines, but there’s a way to be more sustainable on a smaller scale.
Change the light bulbs to LED.
They use less energy than incandescent bulbs
They have an average lifespan of roughly 10 years
Only 5% of converted light is wasted as heat
Non-toxic eco paints
Healthier to breathe in
Programmable Thermostat
Change the temperature settings on your phone
Every 1 degree F that you mark down is 1% less energy used
A 2022 analysis from Zillow shows that homes with listings mentioning green features such as programmable thermostats, double-pane windows, and smart sprinklers or lights could sell up to 10 days faster.
"Climate change is impacting what buyers are looking for in a home and how they want to live," — Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert.
5.) Highlight the Best Qualities
Whether it be the kitchen or the arched ceiling in the foyer that you want buyers to focus on, it’s important to direct their eyes. Natural light is integral to making a space feel larger and staging can also emphasize certain features of a room.