Williamsburgs Real Estate Blog and more!

Over 80% of home buyers start their search online. They are looking for listings with multiple pictures and virtual tours. They do this to save time and rule out the homes they don't want to see. Think about it, virtually every major purchase you make starts with research. You probably didn't walk in to Best Buy without looking first at your options online for that big screen TV online!

Sellers have wondered whether too many photos or a virtual tour give the buyer a reason not to come see the house. I say yes it does. The buyer who does not like your home in pictures, also won't like it in person and will have wasted several people's time. But the person who does like it, will be more likely to make an appointment.

Giving buyers a good idea what to expect saves the buyer time, saves their agent time, saves the seller time by not leaving the house 12 times a day so buyers can stalk through your house and say they hate wallpaper, or wanted a well lit family room only to find a cave. More importantly, look at your competition online. Does your home look at least as good as what you see for sale? Guess what, it has to look better! Remove clutter from all your flat surfaces. No mare than 3 things should ever be grouped together. Have a table with 40 family pictures on it? Clear it off and display your favorites-but only a few. Since you're planning to move soon anyway, go ahead and start packing. It will save you time later and make your home more attractive. Treadmill in the master bedroom? You HAVE to get it out of there! Here are some other tips:

• Replace light bulbs that don't work and use the brightest bulbs the fixture will tolerate.Better lighting is a huge asset!
• Make your entrance shine. Keep the grass cut and clean, pressure wash and paint the porch,door,shutters etc. Buyer today don't want to have to make that their first job after moving in.
• Have the lights on when a showing appoint is scheduled. The agent should turn them off when leaving unless you leave a note otherwise
• Have a showing feedback or guest book on the counter asking what the buyer thought of your home. Yes they may be judgemental and you may not agree with what they say, but they're telling you how to sell your home-if not to them, to the next buyer who comes through!

Virtual tours and multiple pictures will be what possibly sells your home. Now that you've cleaned everything up and did (almost!) everything your agent asked, make sure they get the best pictures and virtual tour online so the world can see it! Not everyone takes good pictures. When your agent shows you how your home looks online, you'll know if they took good or bad pictures of your hard work. Sometimes, a professional photographer can make the rooms look brighter, bigger and better. That will help you stand out and above your competition.

As a virtual tour photographer in the Hampton Roads/Williamsburg area, I've taken thousands of pictures in hundreds of homes. Circlepix Virtual tours are among the best online and I've joined them in providing hundreds of areas virtual tours in the area for a growing list of Realtors. Take a look at some of my work at www.Circlepix.com/agent/145783 and see if these don't look better than many you come across online. Are youa "FSBO"? I can do them for you as well and as a licensed,successful Realtor I can also give you the advice you may need to get it sold.

Jim Mellen, 757-810-3642, Liz Moore and associates, lic. in Virginia

Circlepix Virtual tour photographer for hire!