Selling a house is a complicated process with several moving parts involved in completing a successful transaction. However, leveraging the internet to help get the word out that your house is for sale is more powerful now than ever before. Since most potential buyers today start their search on the internet we have listed a few tips for you to consider for using the internet to help sell your Chicago area home.
Go Where The Buyers Are:
There are many online listing portals to choose from. Look up some listings in your area. What sites show up first in the search results? Many times, the tops sites are Zillow and Trulia. Love them or hate them, they have a great grasp on generating real estate traffic. When you list something on the MLS, it is likely to be picked up by these major sites. Whether or not you are advertising with them, you’ll want to make sure your properties are showcased well.
There are services that will syndicate your listing to many top sites, so you only need to enter your information once. However, make sure to check your listing on all sites in which it was syndicated. Automation can sometimes lead to the data being jumbled.
Consider Premium Listings:
When you do a property search on any major website, you will likely see certain properties at the top time and time again. They paid to get that top spot. Just as the Agents you see over and over again paid to put their name first. If you want to give your property instant traction, it can be worth the extra cost to put your listing at the top.
Create a Property Specific Website:
A unique and interesting way to sell your home using the internet would be to create a property specific website. A basic website and domain won’t cost you much to get started. With a little SEO, content, and imagery, you can quickly build a site to rival the big advertisers when it comes to showcasing your house!
Use Amazing Photos:
After you have the place cleaned, organized and staged you should bring in a professional photographer to take photos of your house. Most buyers sifting through for sale listings online start by looking at the pictures you have uploaded. You only have a few seconds to grab the prospective buyer’s attention and since they will start with the photos of your listing it is very important your pictures are perfect. Great pictures will help you stand out over the other listings and generate more interest from buyers to schedule a showing for your property.
Use an Accurate Description of the Property:
Be as detailed and as accurate about the property as possible. Disclose any defects but also make sure not to overlook the details that may be a selling point for a certain buyer. If you have recently re-done the roof, mention it. If there is a large and bright kitchen, you should mention it.
Watch Your Words:
When people are house hunting, the listings can all begin sounding alike and running together. A lack of adjectives will cause every property to be “beautiful” and “cozy.” Don’t blend in with the crowd! Use colorful language to make your listing stand out from the rest. Don’t just gloss over the ad, using generic words to describe your property.
Use Data To:
Acquiring, understanding and using data will almost guarantee you a quick sale. Using data, you will be able to:
- Run comps of recently sold properties in the area.
- Locate and contact the best agents in town. Online reviews will ensure you find the agent that is best for you!
- Study market trends for real estate in your area. Ask questions such as: when is the best time of year to sell my Chicago house? What are the current buyer demographics?