How To Sell Your House Online

Putting your house on the market used to involve adverts in windows, in newspapers and selling at auctions. While these practices are still common, there’s a new kid on the property block- the Internet. Read on to fin d out how best to advertise your house online…

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1.       Prepare  your Information
The first step to advertising your home is to gather descriptions, important information and photos.

Start by photographing the property- a good sized picture showing the best features of each room will capture the atmosphere and attract any potential buyers to make that all-important viewing appointment.

The description of the property should include its location, size, suitability (i.e, families, young professionals, retired people) and any stand-out features that may be the key selling point- such as a grand fireplace, a wine cellar or a loft conversion. Briefly describe each room, including a garden if it has one. This gives any potential buyer an idea of how much space they have, and whether it fits their requirements.

In terms of legal stuff, it’s important to point out any planned changes to the property or surrounding land, the home’s energy ratings and the terms of the contract.

Now you have your listing prepared, it’s time to get marketing!

2.       Online listings & Free Ads
Newspapers with classified sections now have online versions, meaning with the click of a mouse, you can upload your photos and description to the website- taking out the hassle of print. Classifieds are a popular choice for browsers of various products- and paying that little bit extra can really make your ad stand out in a sea of hot offers. Make sure you include contact details, and monitor your email inbox- as you are likely to get enquiries from potential viewers. Make sure you respond quickly and with enough information to further spark their interest!

3.        Property Websites
Your estate agent will now be able to market your property on one or more of a plethora of property websites, such as Right Move (www.rightmove.com). For a fee, your property will be accessible from the website’s search engine, offering photos, descriptions and contact details. Many people now trawl through listings such as these before they approach an estate agent, and can arrange viewings with private sellers directly using the site’s enquiry system. For maximum advertising exposure, ask your estate agent to market across several websites.

4.         Be careful
Keep safety in mind when arranging viewings independently- and keep correspondence with buyers in writing.

Also, ensure the description and figures for your property are accurate- any ‘misdescriptions’ could end up in legal action if the buyer is not satisfied!

Overall, be honest and proactive about marketing your home. It’s not easy selling your house online, but use the right websites, manage enquiries effectively and keep communication going with your estate agent- and you’ll soon find yourself signing that contract.

Have you sold your house online? Tell us your stories in the comments below!

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•  License: Creative Commons image source

Stephanie Broad is a property and leisure journalist with a keen interest in home interiors. She has been writing ever since she could hold a pen and blogs for eMoov.