Keeping the Listing Fresh** As a Buyer’s agent, I know an (almost) surefire way to get recalcitrant clients to buy: head to the airport. See, “Want Buyers to Buy? Head to the Airport.” What’s the equivalent for listing agents (representing Sellers)? Update the home’s photos (a necessity in Minnesota’s fast-changing, extreme climate). Keeping Up the (Sales) Pressure...Read More
Home Show & Tell (Emphasis on “Show”) “Updated home on a private 3/4 acre lot with lake views in Fagerness Point Neighborhood in Westonka Schools.” –“Agent Remarks”; MLS I give credit to the co-listing agent, Edina Realty-City Lakes’ Matt Lill, for not just telling prospective Buyers where this Orono home is located, but showing...Read More
I’ve probably seen > 100,000 property photos on MLS, but I don’t recall previously seeing one where the caption — in this case, describing Kitchen features — was embedded in the photo (“superimposed” also works). Pros: it’s hard(er) to miss. Cons: it risks looking cluttery. Verdict? At least for my listings, I’m going to stick...Read More
Risk: More BAD Photos & Marketing Verbiage First, last Summer, the amount of space allotted for “Agent” and “Public Remarks” on MLS effectively doubled (from 256 characters and spaces to 500). Last week, the number of pictures allowed on MLS jumped from 16 to 24 — and the resolution went up, too! Best Foot Feet Forward...Read More
Sunrise, Sunset Realtors (and real estate photographers) call it “the magic hour”: the 30 minutes or so after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sky is a softer, darker shade of blue, there are no shadows or reflections, and the illuminated home in the foreground looks the most dramatic. Thanks to Jenny Terrell of Spacecrafting...Read More
Alternatives to Dropping the Price When a Home Doesn’t Sell Unfortunately for owners of “For Sale” homes that . . . aren’t (selling), the explanation is seldom just mediocre marketing. If that were the case, the solution would be simple: great marketing (supplied by a new and presumably better Realtor). Instead, at least in my experience,...Read More
