Crop out sidewalks and streets.
Remove vehicles from driveway / front of home.
Shoot up-close & angled photos.
Avoid shade on the house.
Clear away vegetation blocking front door or path to door.
Virtual tours aren't just to showcase million-dollar homes anymore. Every home should have a virtual tour, even if it's only two spins. Buyers love, love, love virtual tours. If you decided to have a virtual tour the professional photographer sent to your home will take the photos for you.
A good virtual tour will grab a buyer by the hand and lead her from room to room, showing a 360-degree view. Depending on the tour company, you can add sound, music or an exciting, professionally written description that scrolls with the movement of the tour.
Some homeowner associations prohibit real estate signs. Some allow only window signs.
Try talking to a neighbor whose home is located at the corner of a busy street to gain permission to put a sign in the yard with an arrow pointing toward yours.
Order a professional sign
Lockbox
A lockbox gives the agents access to your home and you don't have to be there.
Order a Combination Lockbox
Order an Electrtronic Lockbox (Click here to check for availability in your area)
Print Advertising
Print advertising reaches more buyers. If your neighbors say, "Everywhere I look, I see your home advertised," you're doing a good job. Puts ads in:
Major newspapers. Find out which days pull the most readers. Typically it's Sunday but some newspapers also publish "picture classifieds" on other days.
Local newspapers. You can probably run a larger ad for less money that will more closely target those looking in your area.
Real estate publications. Check on press date; can you wait?
Direct Mail
If you're an un represented seller, you can buy mailing lists from list brokers. If you are represented by an agent, ask about a direct mail program. I prefer oversized four-color postcards because they are inexpensive to mail and eye-catching. Here are three places to mail:
Neighbors. Everybody has friends and relatives who might want to move near them.
Agents who represent buyers in your neighborhood.
Buyers who live in other areas and often relocate to your neighborhood.
Open Houses
Not every home is suitable for an open house due to location or other factors, and sometimes the only way to determine that is to try it. If nobody comes, that's probably a good indication. However, if your home is located near a high traffic area where buyers often swarm, then it's a good candidate.
Place open house signs throughout the area directing buyers.
Advertise in the newspaper.
Advertise open house times online.
Invite the neighbors; they're going to come anyway.
Order an open house
Host Broker / Agent Tours
Most buyers are represented by an agent, it's a good idea to draw as many agents and brokers as possible to view your home. Agents who linger in your home will better remember details to later describe to buyers. And the best way to entice an agent to hang around is food. Doesn't need to be expensive. As agents munch and network, the hope is they will admire your home and bring back a buyer.
Order a broker tour
Send E-Flyers
Create and send electronic flyers. You can also include multiple photographs of your house. Costs vary but it's generally less than $100 to produce. Here are ideas for recipients:
Real estate agents who sell in your area.
Friends, family and coworkers.
Out-of-area brokers and agents who represent buyers in your area.
Get the brochure/flyer creator
