The Offical Open Houses Blog by OnlyOpenHouses.com

When real estate markets transitioned from seller’s to buyer’s markets, agents began putting a lot more money and work into selling listings. However, employing strong marketing techniques is just smart business, regardless. In seller’s markets, good marketing can bring higher prices and, in buyer’s markets, it could mean the difference between sold or expired. Good marketing might not sell your house, but it will make the phone ring. Because if buyers don’t call, you don’t sell. That being said, let’s look at 10 things you should be doing when marketing your open house on OnlyOpenHouses.com:

1. Photograph the Front

Most home buyers begin a home search online, so good photos are essential. Listings without a photo or with only an exterior shot are often passed over and ignored. Buyers are visual. Follow these tips and your house photo will look ten times better than the competition’s:

• Crop out sidewalks and streets.
• Remove vehicles from driveway / front of home.
• Shoot up-close & angled photos.
• Avoid shade on the house.
• Clear away vegetation blocking front door or path to door.

2. Exterior Photographs

If you  are marketing a condo or townhome without a yard, then take pictures of the clubhouse, pool, spa or tennis courts. If you have a yard, however, buyers will want to see it.

• Emphasize space and shoot long.
• Mow the lawn & trim bushes.
• Remove evidence of pets.
• Put away children’s toys.
• Avoid shooting into the sun.

3. Interior Photographs

Take photographs of every room. Even if you suspect the room won’t photograph well, shoot it anyway because the photo quality just might astonish you and be useable.

• Open drapes & blinds
• Turn on lights.
• Focus on interesting details like the condition of a wood floor or a fireplace mantle.
• Remove trash cans & close toilet lids in bathrooms.
• Use floral arrangements in kitchens & dining rooms.
• Avoid shooting into mirrors because your image will reflect.

4. Virtual Tours

Virtual tours aren’t just to showcase million-dollar homes anymore. You can easily add them on your open house listings.
Every home should have a virtual tour, even if it’s only two spins. Buyers love, love, love virtual tours.

• A good virtual tour will grab a buyer by the hand and lead her from room to room, showing a 360-degree view.
• Depending on the tour company, you can add sound, music or an exciting, professionally written description that scrolls with the movement of the tour.
• Virtual tours can also include individual photos available for download or to print.

5. Signage

Signage encourages home shoppers to immediately call you or your agent. It’s free advertising! If your home is a corner lot, put up two signs.

• Some homeowner associations prohibit real estate signs.
• Some HOAs allow only window signs.
• Try talking to a neighbor whose home is located at the corner of a busy street, asking for permission to put a sign in that yard with an arrow pointing toward yours.
• Agent signs should include the phone number of the closest office (if the brokerage operates multiple offices) and the agent’s cell or voice mail number.

Since most buyers are represented by an agent, it’s a good idea to draw as many agents and brokers as possible to view your home.

• Agents who linger in your home will better remember details to later describe to buyers.
• The best way to entice an agent to hang around is food. Doesn’t need to be expensive, sandwiches will suffice.
• As agents munch and network, the hope is they will admire your home and bring back a buyer.