Hints and Tips

Internet Visualization Process

Today 80 to 90% of home buyers search the internet first.  Most don’t have “buyer’s agents.”  Getting into the head of the “internet” buyer becomes critical for your success.

  • What draws them to any single property?
  • What will draw them to your property?
  • What will get an agent face time to close the deal?

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Control the Visualization Process

Buyers already have price, location and specifications set.  Beyond price you can’t really change much.  Or can you?  You can’t move your home, and the number of rooms is fixed.  The very next thing that draws any buyer to your property is always visual.  When we control the visualization process, that process has great positive impact.  Our “Internet Visualization Process” includes Professional Quality images, Virtual Tours and Downloadable Brochures

Compare internet property presentations

After visiting a real estate web site and entering your search data for properties, you’re immediately confronted with a list of properties that meet your initial criteria.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What property do you look at first?
  • What button do you push first?
  • After viewing them “on-line” what property sticks in your mind?
  • What property set the benchmark for the rest?
  • What property do you ask your agent to show?
  • After viewing many properties how do you refresh memory for comparison?

What makes the difference?

The answer to this question is rooted in one simple attribute, it’s all visualization!

  • The best image makes you “click” on the property.
  • Additional images build your interest.
  • Virtual tours bring you inside the home and you “stick” for the tour duration.
  • Appropriate background music evokes an emotional connection.
  • The brochure and on-line tour refresh your memory after the visit.
  • On-line images, tours and brochures are easily shared soliciting impressions and approval from family and valued friends.

Compare the images, virtual tours and brochures different agents use.  Professional real estate photographers make the difference.

Creating Images that “Stick”

There are a few things you can do to present the best image of your home to that critical 80-90% of buying public.  Remember you are trying to help the buyer imagine themselves in “their” new home.

Follow advice of expert agents on staging your home

There is a point of perfect visualization that exists between seeing an empty home and one where the buyer sees only your belongings and not their new home.

That point of perfect visualization, where the buyer visualizes living in your home, is captured by following the staging advice of your agent and using professional photographers.

Help the photographer “Visualize” your home

Lighting is critical:

  • All bulbs, lamps and lighting fixtures must work
  • All shades, blinds and drapes should work & open.
  • Tell agent and photographer what time the sun shines on front of home

The lens will see what you miss and others don’t want to see.  Use this checklist:

  • Important… you can’t see “hidden.”
  • Make all beds and hide all clothing and all toys
  • Close the toilet lid
  • Hide any personal toiletries/appliances and makeup
  • Hide any garbage cans and any pet item
  • Hide any tissue boxes and magazines
  • Hide anything on top, side, front refrigerator/stove
  • If it’s a cleaning product or used in cleaning hide it
  • Hide TV antenna, remote controls and video games
  • If it came in the mail hide it
  • If your children made it hide it
  • If your husband, wife or family made it, hide it.
  • If your pet made it, clean it up.

A few things to have handy when the photographer visits:

  • Large decorative or solid color bowls
  • Solid color place mats
  • Fresh fruits and cut flowers
  •  Assorted sized vases and decorative boxes
  •  Coffee table books
  •  Assorted throw pillows
  •  Small and medium sized area rugs
  •  Assorted throws
  •  Coordinated towel sets for master bath

Owners experience.

For some time I have been listening to home owner comments.  It’s not surprising to hear the number of positive comments owners make about their feelings toward their own homes after following this process.

Their homes are suddenly more inviting and more comfortable than they imagined possible.  They feel refreshed and confident their efforts were worth it.  They appreciate the sales and marketing leadership a successful agent brought to the relationship.

In the end, the seller, buyer and agent are all winners, making these sometime difficult transactions a more pleasant and positive life experience.

Agents experience.

Developing a successful marketing plan for any property involves the effective use of a great team and current technology.  Agents that do it all themselves can limit their success as well as fall short of the sellers and buyers expectations.

Assembling the strongest team, each with their own in depth knowledge and specific skill set, is the sign of an effective agent with a formula of success.  The “Internet Visualization Process” is part of that formula.  I strongly recommend its use it in any marketing plan.