How to Boost Your Home’s Screen Appeal

It’s important to arrange your house for showings and open houses so that it looks its best in person. However, COVID forced us online and increased the number of customers who feel secure purchasing a property after viewing it online without ever going inside. These days, the appearance of your home in still images as well as in virtual tours is important.

The new curb appeal is, in simple terms, screen appeal.

The story is revealed by the numbers. 2019 is done with open houses and in-person showings alone. When asked to make an offer on a house after only taking a 3D virtual tour, nearly 60% of millennials responded in a survey that was published last year. To put the magnitude of that statistic into perspective, only 23% of baby boomers in the same survey indicated they would feel at least somewhat comfortable making an offer on a home they had only seen on the internet.

The largest group of home buyers, youngsters are the first generation of internet natives. For years to come, their comfort level with technology will have an impact on housing structures and demand.

It follows that preparing your house for its close-up on film is essential. Here’s how to create a compelling online home listing.

Declutter, depersonalize, and clean

In the virtual world, there are still some old standards for open houses. Screen appeal is improved by decluttering. In photos, rooms with very little furniture will look brighter and pleasant. Depersonalizing your home by taking out personal items like family portraits, gifts, and other items that declare, “This is my house,” makes it easier for potential buyers to assess the qualities of your property and see themselves living there. Through photography. and visually appealing, a clean home makes a great film. Your rooms will appear bigger, more comfortable, and more welcoming when the shades and blinds are opened to let in natural light. Make sure to change all of the light bulbs in your room to make it appear larger and brighter.

Optimize your layout for the camera

Think about the arrangement of your furniture and how it appears on camera. Even if you like the layout of your rooms, the rooms may not appear big when viewed from a distance. Make sure the current arrangement takes good pictures by taking several test shots. If you intend to record or produce a live video tour, conduct a video chat walkthrough with a friend to determine whether there is a clear path connecting the furniture pieces. When giving a live tour, you don’t want to trip over an ottoman.

Hire a professional photographer

Snapshots from your cellphone won’t do when you’re selling your largest asset. Employ a photographer who specializes in real estate photography for the MLS and 3D virtual tours. They know how to create the ideal lighting and framing for a space. See our advice on how to get a professional to take stunning pictures of your house for real estate. You can ask your agent for a reference or select a photographer from our database to employ in certain markets. It is most likely your agent who will arrange the listing images and work with the buyers’ agents to arrange any virtual tours.

Consider virtual staging

Software is used in virtual staging to add furniture to your room digitally. It might provide the impression that a house is furnished even if you don’t move or rent actual furniture. Online firms that employ licensed interior designers to virtually stage your house are available, as are DIY programs that allow you to create your digital décor for your listing photos—think of them as an adult version of The Sims. To help your house listing stand out and quickly prepare vacant or outdatedly furnished properties for sale, consider virtual staging.

Add a 3D virtual tour

Having a virtual tour is essential and could even increase the number of views and saves for your item. 3D Home® tours have been shown to generate 43% more views and 55% more buyer saves for houses with them than without them, according to data received between November 2021 and January 2022. It makes sense too, as a virtual tour gives the impression that you are actually inside a house. Compared to still images, it provides potential buyers with a more realistic impression of how the house feels and appears.

Write a gripping listing description

Images can convey a thousand words, yet they can’t say enough. You can make your home stand out in the description that goes with your listing. Write evocative descriptions of the images’ contents or expand on what the readers can see. Mention the brands (extra points if they’re high-end kitchen appliances!) and the renovations (subway tile backsplash!). You should also highlight the unique characteristics of your house, such as a steam room, slate floors, or a view of the downtown cityscape. A handful of our shrewd suggestions will make purchasers find your house irresistible.

Your home looks great — now share it

Now you have to improve your house screen appeal and stand out listing, To promote the listing you use social media sites like Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.