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So, you’ve decided to sell your home. Before you hastily set up a listing, take some time to look at your house through the eyes of a buyer. Get organised, take quality photos, highlight your homes best features and name your price. Here’s a guide to help you through the process of creating an online listing that will make potential buyers fall in love with your home.
WALKTHROUGH TO LIST TOP FEATURES
The first step to creating a successful online listing is to highlight your home’s best features. What made you fall in love with your home when you bought it? What are some of the features you’re going to miss? Go from room to room writing down your favourite features in each space. Go outside your home and do the same for the exterior. If you don’t think you can be objective enough, or if you don’t have much of an eye for detail, have a friend or neighbour help you.
WALKTHROUGH TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS
Now that you’ve written down everything that’s noteworthy about your home, make a walkthrough to take photographs of these top features. Here are some tips for taking professional quality photos of your home:
- Make the best use of light. Use as much natural light as possible; it is the most flattering light for both individuals and homes. Uneven lighting doesn’t do your home any favours, though, so use the flash if necessary to even out the lighting
- Get rid of clutter. Nothing detracts more from a lovely home than a bunch of clutter over in the corner. Removing clutter lends calmness to a space while making it appear larger, too.
- Photograph the garden when the sun is not directly overhead. Outdoor photographs are best taken in the early morning hours or during the hour just before sunset.
- Shoot from creative perspectives. While many people take pictures of their home straight on, this isn’t always the most flattering angle. When photographing the different features of your home, try capturing different angles to see which one looks the best.
- Use Photoshop lightly. Even when we think everything’s in order, our eyes will sometimes miss that dirty spot on the wall or that electrical wire in the corner. If that happens, use Photoshop to edit out the undesirable elements. Now is not the time to play with filters and colour, though. Keep your edits simple and clean.
- Tell a story. Photograph your home in such a way that any family could envision themselves in your home. A couple of strategically placed toys in a child’s room, for example, would appeal to families with children.
WRITE YOUR DESCRIPTION
Once you’ve made a list of all your best features and photographed them, it’s time to write out a description. You may want to read through a few listings online to get a general idea of what to include, but don’t get boxed in by what others have done. Be creative yet factual.
NAME YOUR PRICE
This is the hard part: naming a price. It helps to do a little research before settling on a figure. Look at listings online and in the newspapers to see what comparable homes are selling for in your area. You may want to hire an independent valuator to give you a general idea of what your home is worth.
LIST YOUR PROPERTY
Now that you’ve ironed out all the details, it’s time to create a listing online. For Sale For Lease’s Residential Property package will get your home listed across several sites giving you maximum exposure. Just click on the “Sell Property Now” button to complete the simple form. You’ll be asked for your contact information, details and a description of your property, and photographs. Choose your preferred service and products and make your payment. Complete the General Sales Authority form that’s sent to you when you sign up and send it back. It’s that simple! Your home will be listed within 24 hours.
