Even in this hot real estate market, selling your home requires a bit
of marketing effort. Ads and brochures are important and powerful
tools. So, what do you put in you’re marketing materials?
Content
To the degree possible include key information in you’re ad or
brochure. A classified ad will contain less than a poster, which will
contain less than a brochure, which may contain less than an Internet
listing, etc. The key, however, is to make sure each medium contains
maximum information and minimum fluff.
In general, people want to know what type home is being offered (single
family house, townhouse, condo, etc.), how many bedrooms and baths it
has, its general location, and the price. Obviously, you also need to
include contact information so potential buyers know how to reach you.
If you have the space, a good tactic is to describe the characteristics of the house that lead you to originally purchase it.
1. Was it the location?
2. A beautiful view?
3. Neighborhood charm?
4. A school district you were seeking out?
5. Lots of storage?
6. Garage spaces for 3 cars?
7. High ceilings?
8. The style of architecture?
9. Large entertainment areas?
10. A beautiful garden?
Don’t be shy. Mention the best features to set your home apart from others for sale.
A note of caution is called for here. When you mention your home’s best
features, don’t overstate them. If your potential buyer’s first emotion
on actually seeing your property is disappointment, there really isn’t
much potential for a sale to that person. With that in mind, I wouldn’t
refer to a house with a garden that backed to a small farm pond as
“waterfront property,” nor would I call a small, city apartment with
windows on an air shaft a “spacious city abode with sunny views.”
Photos
Include color photos of your home whenever possible. When selling real estate, a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
When taking your photos, take lots of them. Take them from typical
angles and from unusual ones, too. Cameras often like odd angles.
Photos that show three walls very often seem to reduce the size of the
room visually. It is often better to show only two walls with the
corner slightly, or very, off center. You may want to show the same
room from more than one angle. One photo may include a wall of windows
and another show a fireplace in the same room. Regardless of your
approach, keep in mind the photographs will give a potential buyer the
first impression of your home.
Obviously, marketing is one of the key factors in selling a home. If you are creative with yours, buyers will come.
