No Pictures, No Viewings, No Interest and No Offers?

 

As a Professional Home Stager I often tell my clients that buyers today are in a completely different league. With direct access to the Internet, Real Estate Shows, MLS, and virtual tours, a computer savvy home buyer doesn't even need to leave their home to decide whether or not to see a property listed on the Internet. And with Com Free, nor do they even require a Realtor (which makes the marketing strategy simply targeting online viewers).

Often, buyers will make a decision at their computer as to whether or not to bother looking at the house in person. I make it part of my regular marketing strategy to regularly search MLS and Com Free to preview the photos. I find myself getting absolutely frustrated with the listings with this famous picture.

How many times has everyone in the Edmonton market come across that picture? Annoying isn't it? I am always curious what the reasoning for the lack of photographs is. Is this a marketing strategy to get a buyer to contact you directly to ask questions about the listing? How many times does that happen? Or is the home in such poor condition that no photos should be taken?

 

This is probably THE MOST important marketing tool (after listing the property) that sellers & Realtors have in getting their home sold. Every listing should have pictures, and good pictures.  This is the time and place to showcase your homes best features, and to invite the buyer to view your home in person. This is how offers are made. If your home is not ready for its “close up” make sure to complete any work before listing.  And remember ….you only have ONE chance, to make a great first impression.