7 Tips for Realtors® Selling Homes

As real estate experts, Realtors® know a thing or two about selling homes. Whether you’re a new Realtor® or just looking for some extra selling advice, here are seven tips from a few of PAR’s district vice presidents.

1. Showcase the Lifestyle

“Showcase the lifestyle,” District 1 Vice President Stephanie Biello says. “A home’s essence extends beyond its physical boundaries. Highlighting local attractions, neighborhood amenities and community events gives potential residents a glimpse into their future lifestyle. This approach enriches their understanding of what life in that home could entail.”

2. Don’t Insult the Home

“The number one thing Realtors® shouldn’t do is insult the homeowner’s décor, style, paint color, etc.,” District 4 Vice President Alexa Sanchez shares.

Selling a home is a big decision in many ways, including emotionally. Many sellers have attached sentimental value and personal memories to their homes, and selling isn’t always easy. Realtors® can help ease sellers through this process by being empathetic and not insulting the home they’ve put their personality into.

3. Be Mindful and Respectful

“Don’t say or do anything in someone’s house that you wouldn’t want them to know about,” District 5 Vice President Sherrie Miller advises Realtors®.

While some homeowners may have security cameras, it’s common, professional courtesy to be respectful in clients’ homes. Be mindful of what you say and do.

4. Work With a Professional Stager

“Particularly if the property features bulky or outdated furniture, staging becomes essential,” Biello notes. “Buyers need to envision themselves living in the space, a task made challenging amidst a sea of personal mementos and family photos. This is even more critical in luxury homes, which often bear the mark of personalized customization.”

“Staging helps showcase the home’s potential, stripping away the layers of personal taste that might cloud a buyer’s vision,” she adds. “Collaborating with a professional stager can also illuminate the property’s standout features and the most effective ways to highlight them.”

5. Lock the Lockbox

“If you’ve opened up an electronic lockbox and another agent shows up, don’t try to be nice and just hand them the key,” Miller adds. “Lock up the lockbox so the next agent is recorded accessing the lockbox. If something goes missing under your watch, you could be blamed.”

6. Invest in High-Quality Photos

“Utilizing high-quality photographs taken by a professional photographer is crucial for selling any property, particularly luxury homes,” Biello shares. “Potential buyers browsing online tend to focus more on visuals than descriptions, making it vital that your photographs stand out.”

She recommends Realtors® also consider working with a photographer capable of capturing drone shots, incorporating a video of the property and/or creating a 3D virtual tour of the home.

7. Tell the Seller to Remove Valuable (Or Illegal) Items

It’s a good idea to remind sellers to remove valuable items and prescription medications from the home to prepare for showings.

“It wasn’t my listing/client,” District 10 Vice President Jim Jarrett notes with a sense of humor, “But I would have recommended that the seller/homeowner remove all the marijuana plants and grow lights from his basement before listing the property for sale and allowing showings. Maybe stage the basement as an exercise room instead?”