These days, marketing a home online is a central part of what a real estate agent does. When it's handled poorly, a listing can linger for weeks or months, or end up selling for less than it should. A capable agent knows which approaches get results for your specific neighborhood and price point, and puts them to work.
Why Online Marketing Makes or Breaks a Listing
Doing digital marketing well is both necessary and genuinely difficult. Done skillfully, it puts your home in front of the right buyer quickly. Done badly, it leaves the listing sitting idle. Planting a sign in the front yard simply doesn't cut it anymore.
Good marketing starts with eye-catching photography, a thorough and appealing description, and sometimes a web page dedicated to the property. But that's only the foundation. Your listing also has to be pushed out across social media, the MLS, and the agent's own network of contacts. When you're interviewing agents, first make sure they have these skills, and then make sure they actually use them.
What to Ask Before You Hire an Agent
Before you sign with anyone, ask a few pointed questions to find out whether they have a real marketing plan ready to go. A good agent will be glad to answer and should be able to show you proof.
How will you market my home?
At a minimum, expect a well-written description, professional photography, and active promotion of the listing. Agents who go further might suggest drone shots for a home with a big yard, a listing video, or postcards sent to the surrounding neighborhood.
How many people see your posts?
The most effective agents steadily grow their audiences on Facebook and Instagram by sharing content that's genuinely useful to buyers and sellers. Having a local following means they can get the word out about your property quickly.
Do you publish a blog or newsletter?
An agent who writes a blog or newsletter focused on the local area can give your home a meaningful boost in visibility. Be sure to ask a follow-up: will they spotlight your property in a post or email, and when would that happen?
Three Signs Your Agent Is Marketing Your Home Well
If you've already hired an agent, here are three things to watch for to confirm your home is getting the exposure it deserves.
- They share it. The MLS and the big listing sites are just the starting point. Your agent should also be posting about your home personally on Facebook, Instagram, and other social channels, ideally to an established and growing audience.
- They write about it. Featuring your home on the agent's website or in their newsletter when it hits the market is one of the most effective ways to generate interest.
- They show it off. No matter the price, a virtual tour helps spotlight what makes your home special. That could be as simple as a photo slideshow or as involved as a video walkthrough or a full 360-degree tour.
How I Market the Homes I List
When you list with me, you get a complete digital strategy built to reach serious buyers. That includes targeted Facebook ads, email campaigns, content marketing, and personal one-on-one outreach to people who may be the perfect fit for your home.
If you're getting ready to sell and want to see what a real marketing plan looks like, reach out to me. I'd be happy to walk you through exactly how I'd promote your home.