Host an open house and it’s hard not to notice how many people arrive with cell phones in hand. It’s no surprise that Inman’s recent survey confirmed an increased use of mobile devices by house hunters.
It is nice, though, that Inman’s findings include quantitative proof of what I have been experiencing personally: Buyers might start their search online but when they’re really serious about buying many turn to a seasoned local agent to make sure they fully understand the scope of available properties, negotiate the lowest price possible and avoid buyer pitfalls.
That’s the buyer side. What does the online search data mean for sellers of homes in Lafayette, CA?
Home Buyer Behavior Impacts Home Seller Needs
Today’s home buyer online behavior means we need to showcase your home not only where and when potential buyers (and their agents) are looking but in ways that are optimized for the device (mobile or otherwise) they’re using for that search.
Asking price remains the most critical factor in the mix. When pricing is off-market, qualified homebuyers may never even see your listing because it won’t pass their self-defined price range search filter. Never mind that market realities could mean your home might ultimately sell within that buyer’s optimal price range regardless of asking price.
Staging still matters and so does photography. Online, curb appeal is viewable 24-7 and includes inside views, too.
The goal is to encourage online searchers to get offline and through your front door for a tour. When it comes to searchers using mobile devices, it can be the difference between whether they get out of the car or not, even on an Open House Sunday.
Making Information about Lafayette Homes for Sale Easy to Use
That means your home’s information and photos need to be online in ways they can be easily found and viewed on smart phones and iPads as well as standard computers and laptops. Luckily, many real estate related platforms, including Tourfactory.com, offer mobile readability. In addition, listing aggregators offer smart phone applications, as do real estate companies like Pacific Union International.
I’m online – and in my car – a lot as a Realtor. That makes me one of those who increasingly use mobile devices.
It’s been an easy leap to embrace updating my website to accommodate mobile device use, too. This is particularly important because I’ve improved the Featured Listings component of the website to include not only pictures and video, but more robust keyword searchable text than is available on typical MLS-feed aggregators.
All of this online talk might make it seem as if the real estate industry is changing dramatically. In some ways, it is. Agents today have to be comfortable with technology and willing to try new methods of communication.
In one basic way, though, closing successful real estate sales remains the same. The key to selling property for top dollar is still to price the property right, stage it well and attract many qualified buyers (through the door) to see the home’s potential.