10 Ways Buying and Selling a Home is like Online Dating
1. Use good photos.
In a world of swipe left, swipe right - people do the same thing with your home. Professional photos and impressive curb appeal are crucial for maximizing engagement and interest online.
Photos should present the best version of you, but they should also look like you.
Keep the Photoshop and filters to a minimum.
2. What’s NOT shown is perhaps more important than what is.
Sometimes, homes use selective angles in photos or other techniques to distract you from potential negatives.
Why does the home start with an interior photo instead of a traditional exterior shot?
When the home markets “unobstructed views,” does that mean it overlooks a busy highway?
Why does this home have seventeen air fresheners?
Why is this closet locked?
Pay attention to what feels hidden, not just what is marketed.
3. Some homes show better in person.
Some homes have bad photos, but they are actually great homes.
It might be worth taking a risk to go see a home that seems nice, even if it’s not marketed overly well.
You might just find a diamond in the rough and fall in love.
4. See multiple homes, but then commit.
Avoid the pressure of having to buy the first home you go see, but if you have looked at 100 homes and don’t like any of them, maybe you don’t know what you want
Or maybe you have commitment issues. Maybe.
5. Grow thick skin.
People are going to judge your home, form quick first impressions, and maybe not like it, and they won’t give clear reasons for it other than, “Just not for me.”
You might love your home, and it can be frustrating when buyers can’t seem to appreciate it the way you do.
Remember, you don’t need a bunch of buyers to fall in love with you, you just need one.
6. Prepare to get ghosted.
It’s not uncommon to have a super busy open house, but then none follow up and you realize they filled out the sign in form with a fake email address. Ugh.
Trying to find motivated buyers who actually follow through and commit can be emotional for sellers.
Hang in there. Sometimes it proves best that the unserious buyers reveal themselves early on.
7. Don’t skip inspection.
A home can look great at first - cute, right size, acceptable age, good location.
But those things are rarely the whole picture.
You’ll want to know the home’s history, needed repairs, potential zoning violations, history of insurance claims, involvement in past or active lawsuits, etc.
8. Not everyone is looking for a project.
Almost every home has a punch list of repairs and items that could be updated.
But some homes need more work than others.
Some buyers will decide the home is too much work for what they want to take on. That’s their right.
9. Don’t Assume “Time on Market” is a problem.
Some homes need a specific type of buyer.
Some homes are luxury, and homes at that price point can take longer to sell.
Some have unique features that don’t appeal to everyone.
Some were listed, got feedback, made updates, are now back on the market as a new and improved version of themselves.
Don’t let time on market scare you.
10. Having a bunch of cats is polarizing.
Don’t get mad at me for this one.
One cat is normally fine. Eight cats is…a lot.
Even if everything else about the home is fine, there is just something about having a bunch of cats that can scare potential buyers away.
If you have a desire to buy or sell, let’s chat!
Life has a way of keeping us all moving, and I’d love to be your real estate agent.
Contact me here to set up your free and confidential consultation.
Kevin
