Agents listing homes in the south have an edge over us up north. You don't need to take seasonal photos. But for those of us in Colorado Springs, it does make a difference for buyers to see the home under current conditions. What does it say for your listing to see the 10 foot drifts in the yard? It tells buyers that what we have here is a bargain or something that no one else wanted so why would we?
Making sure that photos are current is part of our responsibility to our sellers to market the home to the best of our ability. It screams lazy to me so I can only imagine how the home owner feels that is cutting the check for a commission. I also wonder what they think when you call them and say, "Mr. Seller, I know we haven't had any showings recently, but I'm doing everything I can to market your home." Really?
According to statistics given at my recent Rain Camp seminar, 87% of buyers today start their search on the internet. What is the number one thing they are looking for on each property? Obviously it's photos or video to see the features of the property. Buyers realize when shopping during winter months seasonal conditions limit viewing landscape features, however their level of tolerance fades the deeper we are into the summer months.
So the next time you call your seller to ask for a price drop to stimulate activity on your listing, maybe you ought to check to see if you have really done everything you can to attract buyers in the current market. Yes location, price, and condition do matter but so does your marketing efforts.
For more information on buying or selling a home in Colorado Springs, contact Lorraine Sayer.
