The trend of online home search and property purchase is increasing across many cities in India. Hence, a property owner has a greater chance of finding relevant home buyers by listing their property on popular real estate portals. The process is simple, involving creating an account on the portal and posting the property details, including pictures and videos. Once a property is listed online, it becomes visible to prospective buyers, who have the option to browse through similar listings and choose a property based on their preferences. Given the competition from other sellers, it becomes essential for a property owner to maximise their property’s visibility and attract the right buyers. In this guide, we discuss the things to do after a property is listed online.
#1. Monitor the property listing performance
Simply listing a property online on a real estate platform is not enough to attract the right buyers or tenants. The quality of the listing makes all the difference and helps capture the attention of prospective buyers. Tracking the performance will help you understand whether you need to incorporate any chances to improve the listing. It is important for the owner to monitor the engagement metrics, including the views and enquiries.
#2. Enhance the listing performance
Depending on the listing performance, you may want to relook at the property’s photos, videos and description posted online and edit them to attract buyers. Replace the existing photos of the property with high-quality photos.
While it is easier to take a few pictures from your smartphone, if you want to attract buyers, you may want to consider hiring a professional photographer who knows how to take photos from the right angles and with proper lighting. Include photos taken from various angles, showcasing the property in the best possible way.
Do not forget the virtual tours and videos, which help prospective buyers get a real impression of the property. Make sure to add a detailed description of every room or area of your home. For example, instead of writing a ‘spacious kitchen’, you can give details such as a ‘U-shaped kitchen with granite countertop, a functional chimney and oakwood cabinets’.
#3. Promote the property listing through other channels
In this growing digital age, social media has become an effective medium for marketing and promoting any product, including homes. Youngsters and working professionals are quite active on social media platforms. Hence, a property seller can leverage these platforms to maximise their exposure. It is essential to follow Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques by including relevant keywords so that your property gets better visibility on search engines. Make sure to give a catchy description of your property by using the relevant keywords. Consider telling a story or describing the experience or memories that a buyer can create in the property. Tweak the description based on the target audience. For example, if it is an apartment in a luxury housing project, make sure to highlight the international standard lifestyle amenities and privacy features the project may offer.
Further, you may want to consider promotion through email listing to potential buyers and other paid advertising to enhance visibility. Traditional print advertisements of properties have limited reach. On the other hand, online platforms enable property sellers to showcase every aspect of their property and increase their visibility. They can share the listing on different social media platforms to let their friends and family know they are planning to sell their property. This will help generate new leads through word of mouth.
#4. Engage with prospective buyers and address their questions
Most online property platforms ensure direct communication between sellers and prospective buyers through call and chat features. Property sellers should ensure they respond to enquiries by potential buyers and promptly address their questions or concerns. The real-time interactions facilitate quicker closing of property deals. It is important for the property owners to be ready with all the relevant details about the property and the neighbourhood, including the availability of essential amenities, accessibility to commercial hubs and upcoming infrastructure projects. Moreover, it is crucial to stay transparent and answer the questions openly and honestly.
#5. Prepare for prospective buyers’ property visits
A property seller should typically prepare the house for selling by undertaking necessary repairs and incorporating cosmetic changes to enhance its appeal before listing online. However, after the property is listed, the owner should consider regular inspections of the property and ensure it is kept clean and presentable for in-person visits by potential buyers. For those who prefer to look at the property online, organise virtual tours. You can approach a local broker for the required support. However, it is important for the sellers also to be present at the property when buyers come to visit. Make sure you are flexible with the timings and visiting schedules, which will encourage prospective buyers.
#6. Track market trends and reassess the property’s value
The right timing matters the most for successfully selling a property. The current season and market situation play a crucial role. Sometimes, selling during peak season can be beneficial and bring quicker results. It also helps close the deal at an attractive price, especially if the demand for properties is high. On the other hand, if the market is slow or if the property is located in a less developed area, it could pose challenges for the seller unless new developments come up in the area. Hence, a property seller may have to relook at the pricing by conducting market research.
It is crucial to monitor the listings by other sellers and reevaluate one’s strategy. Sellers can hire professional property valuation services or consult an experienced real estate agent. While underpricing may not be an ideal choice for the seller, overpricing can also be a bad idea as it can turn away prospective buyers. Thus, determining the right price based on the market trends can increase the chances of finding relevant buyers and getting a favourable deal.
#8. Prepare for offers and negotiations
Property sellers should sharpen their negotiation skills as it would help them close the deal at the best price. After determining a market price for the property, be ready for counteroffers from buyers. It is important to be open and listen actively to the buyers’ questions and concerns. You may want to use market data and property inspection reports to support your case. Sellers should be prepared to compromise on certain aspects but have a clear bottom line when it comes to the price. Highlight the best features of the property to convince potential buyers. Avoid delays in responding to offers, as it can turn away potential buyers.
Housing.com News Viewpoint
Promoting a property listing online is a multi-step process involving reevaluating the pricing, updating the photos, videos and property description to boost visibility and engaging with potential buyers to find the best deal. A property seller can consider working with an experienced real estate agent who can help find relevant buyers and negotiate the price on behalf of the seller.
FAQs
How to increase the visibility of a property listing online?
You can share the property listing on various social media channels and opt for email marketing to increase visibility. Consider updating the listing with high-quality photos and a catchy description.
What should you do if the property listing is not getting responses from potential buyers?
To attract potential buyers, consider reevaluating the property’s price and updating the photos and description. You can approach a real estate agent for support.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
