Indianapolis Area Real Estate Blog

#1 Tip for Marketing Your Indianapolis Home to Sell

{EAV:e70a98171270d9fc}

With the surplus inventory of homes available in the average price range for most any city or town in Metro Indianapolis, how do you make your property stand out?

Online Search for Homes IndianapolisToday's home buyer is online, checking out your home. Times have changed and very few home buyers drive around to look at homes or attend open houses. They can find much of the information they need online. Once they have the information, they will  drive by neighborhoods or contact a real estate agent.

The #1 request I receive from online visitors, besides scheduling showings is for more pictures. We live in a society where time is valued and people just won’t drive by your house if there are not pictures online, unless you are selling for a steal. I’m not talking about steals or bank owned homes, though. I’m specifically talking about the average priced home sold in your city or town. A home where you want to sell for top dollar.

Having pictures online seems obvious, but it’s the timing of the pictures I believe makes a difference. Just as you have prepared your home for the market, your marketing must be complete - before you list your home. More precisely, before it goes in the local Indianapolis MLS.

There are a quick procession of things that happen once your home is listed on the MLS.

  • It goes on the Realtor Hot Sheet as a new listing
  • It will be included in any new listing updates sent to buyers
  • It will be syndicated to multiple online platforms (this is broker specific)

It is a proven fact that a home attracts the most attention when it is first listed. It goes without saying, your home should be “newsworthy” when it hits the press.

Did you know when your home is first listed, it will be sent to every buyer signed up on any website as a newHome Online with No Photo listing, if it is in their price range and/or has the amenities they are looking for? The only other time that happens is when there is a price change, then it goes to a different set of buyers in your new price range, usually a reduced price.

You’ve heard the saying, you only have one opportunity to make the best first impression and the same can be said of your home. When your home hits the market, it should be fully marketed. The pictures should be in place, any video should be created, flyers and home information in the home, postcards sent out, ads created, etc.

Never put a home on the market before it’s time!

I believe that is the #1 key for marketing a home to sell.

Related Articles to Selling Your Home in Indianapolis:

How Much Will it Cost to Sell My Home

Help! - My Home Didn't Sell - Part 1

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words When Selling Your Home

Discussion

#1 By Denise Sonnenberg at 12/7/2011 9:20 PM

The biggest tip I could give people is to rent a storage room or find a friend with a basement and put half of the stuff you have out of sight. The less clutter the larger the home will look and the perceived value will be much higher. If it looks like there are only a few feet of walking space that is even worse than just normal clutter. Get a professional to help you clean it out first.

#2 By Paula at 12/7/2011 9:47 PM

Agreed Denise! I always suggest my clients pack up anything they can live without. All of this needs to be completed before we even begin to market the home.

#3 By Steve Hughes at 12/8/2011 -2:32 PM

Yes, I remember even 7 years ago when I was in the market to buy the importance of pictures, especially if your pictures portray an attractive home. Get them out there and on the site. Otherwise, you're just short changing yourself and the home you're trying to sell.

#4 By Debbie Miller at 12/8/2011 -2:48 PM

Thanks for the info! I'm in the process of buying a condo and learning a lot about real estate - all so fascinating!

#5 By Sally K Witt, Social Media and Ministry at 12/9/2011 3:27 PM

Great post, Paula. We do love photos and videos of properties!

#6 By Paula Henry at 12/9/2011 3:33 PM

Steve - Back then we didn't even have the great technology we have today for pictures, virtual tours and video. All the more reason for a home to be made available online with great marketing.

#7 By Paula at 12/9/2011 3:35 PM

Debbie - good luck in your search for a new place to call home! I'd love to know if you are searching online and how much pictures and video play a part in your decision to look at a home.

#8 By Paula at 12/9/2011 4:15 PM

Sally - Pictures and video make a home come alive. Thanks for stopping by!

#9 By Kelly at 12/23/2011 8:42 AM

I am currently looking at Dallas Real Estate and am considering whether to rent or buy. Since I am still on the east coast, I depend on websites in my search. Any listing that does not have pictures I just skip over. In reality, I could be missing out on my dream house. I wish people would understand that some people are not local and depend on pictures and videos in order to evaluate a house.

Post a Comment

Blog Archives

Posts By Category

All Categories Buyer Resources (59) Community News (37) Home and Family (36) Home Maintenance Tips (14) Homeowners (34) Homes for Sale | Listings (25) Indianapolis Things to Do (62) Indy Photo Spot (5) Lifestyle Communities (4) Local Indy (42) Market Statistics (87) Mortgage News and Info (49) Parks and Recreation (12) Random Thoughts (19) Real Estate News (73) Real Estate Terms (15) Relocation Tips (8) Seller Information (41) Upcoming Events (3)

Posts By Month

Blog Roll

Homes in Hendricks County
Grab Our RSS Feed
New Listing Alerts

Be one of the first to know when new listings matching your criteria hit the market.

Get New Listings
Relocation Guide

Find your next home and learn about neighborhoods, current market statistics, and local schools.

Free Relocation Guide
Free Market Analysis

Our free service provides you with a detailed estimate of your home's current market value.

Get a Free Market Analysis