Summer might be well and truly over, but one element of summer offers the perfect analogy when it comes to getting viewers and potential buyers to your home when it is on the market.
I’m sure most of us have fond memories of summertime as children and the quintessential summer icon is the ’99’ ice cream – which of course no longer costs 99p! And there is one thing about a 99 that no one agrees on, the best way to eat it. Flake first? Suck the ice cream through the bottom? Eat the good bits and dump the cone?
This kind of consumer behaviour often moves with us into adulthood. We all have quirks and ways of doing things that influence the way we make purchases – and appealing to these desires can have an impact on the size of the pool of potential buyers for your property. Let me explain a little more:
If we take a look at four major elements of selling a property:
- Photography
- Floor plan
- Written description
- Brochure
These elements need to contain subtle signposts for as many different kinds of buyers as possible: Spontaneous buyers who go with their imaginations and gut feelings, considered buyers who want to see every detail and the rebel buyers who are looking for something out of the ordinary and don’t want all properties to be the same.
What makes your property listing appeal to each of these types of buyers?
Spontaneous buyers love to take in information visually. They can look at an image of your kitchen, and imagine how they’d feel cooking in it. Colour is important to these buyers too, so don’t be afraid to add a splash of colour to your house with cushions and throws. The written description of your home needs to paint a picture too. Make sure it tells the story of your home, and pulls on your buyer’s emotions.
How to attract them: Make sure every image and your written description all portray not just your home, but the lifestyle it offers. Let them feel excited about the prospect of viewing your home, and imagine themselves living there and enjoying the life they most want to lead.
Considered buyers like to read factual information about your house. The Council Tax band, services and utilities information are all really important to them, as is the floor plan, which they will pore over. These buyers will also be drawn to the written description of your home, just to be sure they don’t miss any important details.
How to attract them: Make sure your property advert includes factual information as well as the more visual elements. Your floor plan needs to include not just metric and imperial measurements, but also a compass, showing the orientation of your home.
Rebel buyers are looking for something really different. Quirky and full of character defines their dream home. They love to open a well-designed brochure, and enjoy the physical experience of browsing through it.
How to attract them: Showcase your homes’ more interesting features; detail any famous residents or stories. Make sure your home is one that they could really show off. If your agent has not created a brochure for your home, ask if this is possible. Whilst some agents believe that buyers no longer want or need a physical brochure, we find that our buyers love having the physical copy in their hands, before, during and after a viewing.
Can we help you to sell your home to that perfect buyer?
We would love to speak to you about your needs, the story of your property, how quickly you want to sell and how much you think you are looking for. A 20 minute phone call is the perfect amount of time to get the ball rolling and if you like what you hear, we would love to come round and visit the property in order to give you a proper valuation.
If you are ready to speak to an friendly property agent, give us a call on 020 8605 1300 or email mail@gracemiller.co.uk
