As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, selling properties has become challenging as governments enact lockdown measures in place. While the pandemic has dramatically transformed the real estate industry, the effect of the pandemic on estate businesses hasn’t shown symptoms of declining. The only thing that has probably changed is the way clients shop and buy homes.
Real estate companies such as Westbrook Estate have entered the digital realm to streamline their marketing efforts. Since more people prefer to stay at home, agents found a way to make the house buying process safe and easy. They upload photos and videos and provide virtual tours for clients to view properties while in the comfort of their homes.
Selling properties can be very stressful as the health protocols made it even worse. But it doesn’t have to be. It is best to look for ways to adjust house selling techniques while staying focused on making sales. Given the present situation, you may wonder how to boost your real estate listings and attract more clients. In this article, we will cite ways to sell a home amid a pandemic.
Establishing a personal brand
In any marketing campaign, building a personal brand is the secret to attracting more clients. Before, growing a contact list can be possible through traditional network gatherings. But any form of event is not possible right now, since some states have forbidden public functions.
For the time being, expanding the network through local platforms is the best alternative. You can try real estate websites that allow estate professionals to build their audience. You can also expand your reach by creating a business page on social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms offer free marketing, where you upload content, chat with interested buyers, and update followers about the latest real estate deals.
Staging homes
Due to the pandemic, potential home buyers cannot simply tour and view properties and conduct inspections. Currently, they rely on online content to inspect and compare listings. But with several online listings, how can you attract their attention?
One way to help potential clients find their dream home is to conceptualize methods when staging a property online. Your main goal is to provide potential buyers with a simulated experience as if walking inside the actual property. Let them experience the home online while they imagine themselves living in it. You can do this by uploading videos, photos, or virtual tours where they can easily engage themselves in it.
Start by asking the owner to declutter and hire a storage space service to obtain unnecessary items that can ruin the staging. For empty homes, stage them using virtual furniture through staging apps, such as VisualStager and iStaging. Instead of hiring a home stager, you save a lot of money by furnishing the vacant space using a dedicated software. When staging, try sticking to three décor colors for each room, as plenty of shades look overwhelming.
Staging a property is all about giving the home a stunning curb appeal, investing in home improvements, and sprucing up the interior. If there’s no time for décor shopping, adding greeneries and fresh flowers will add life and color to every room. For greater effect, use long-lasting flower bouquets in large masses with a single color. When adding potted plants, choose low-maintenance varieties that can survive in dark areas.
Also, don’t forget the “three-point lighsting” rule when adding brightness in dim rooms. This will emphasize the most appealing architectural features as you minimize less attractive parts.
Focus on COVID-19-friendly selling points
Since families have been stuck at home, the idea of a desirable property has changed. Urban dwellers are now refusing to pay a premium in cities they can’t fully experience, while remote workers have become tired of sharing home offices.
In this current climate, be creative when showcasing COVID-19-friendly selling features by staging home offices, yards, and kitchens. As parents share spaces with their children, open floor plans have become less practical. On weekdays, students need a quiet place to attend virtual classes, while parents want to avoid any household noise during Zoom meetings.
Capture their attention by staging rooms that make great home offices, such as finished attics and basements. If the property has a well-shaded sun porch or yard, install a wooden laptop table and turn it into a study station.
Families living in apartments may have been having a hard time dealing with their bored family members. Assure that the property can meet a family’s outdoor needs by showcasing vast green lawns and backyards. Stage them by adding patio furniture, a playground area, and barbecue equipment. Remember that a good-looking outdoor area is the key to score a listing.
The strategies for selling properties during a pandemic are no different from the guidelines under normal circumstances. The main difference lies in sales technique. But much of the work may still require marketing your listings, staging homes, coordinating with sellers, and reaching out to clients. As all these things happen virtually, you need to have a concrete plan for any situation.