Are Professional Pictures and Videos for Listings Important? (Part 3)

Today I want to talk about the 3rd showing that is so very important - the physical tour of the home. If the professional photos and videos have done their job then your home made it past the online tour and the drive-by and the buyer is liking it enough to call their agent for a physical tour of the home.

So far the buyer has only had video media to make judgements about the home. Now when they go in they are going to be able to take advantage of their other sense like touch and smell it. Don't ever under estimate the importance of how your home smells. I remember a showing where the buyer picked up on a smoke smell from the porch and before I could get the lockbox open she decided she didn't want to go in! Some people are just that turned off by it. I've seen buyers turned off by too much air freshener. They assume you are trying to cover something up. If you use air fresheners someone walking into the room should not notice them right away. It should be a subtle background fragrance that you don't really notice.

Pet odor is another big turn off for buyers. Cats especially because it can be so hard to get it out. During their tour they will get to see things that didn't show up in the pictures. Things like those spider webs in the corner or the chipped place on the counter or that light switch that no longer works. It's not always the big items that kill a deal. The little things can make the difference. A buyer subconsciously adds up the little things as they walk through. If they get enough of them, then they want to move on to the next property. As markets tighten it becomes even more critical that everything looks in order and well maintained.

At the end of the day great looking photos and a quality video can get them in the door but the house has to sell itself once they come in. I work with some of the best Realtors in the Dayton area and the general consensus is your home does better online if you go the extra mile. Reach out today if you have questions.