AllReal Estate

The Art of Creating Compelling Property Listings: Tips and Tricks

September 21, 2023
Discover the secrets to crafting standout property listings. Dive into expert tips and tricks that captivate buyers and maximize real estate success.
Mortgages loan finance real estate remixed media

When marketing a rental property or home for sale, a captivating and persuasive listing can be a game-changer. A well-written property listing shows off the features of the home and reflects who you are as a real estate agent.

Selling effectively requires both a compelling listing and a powerful presentation. Learning how to list properties effectively and investing time and money in a quality listing presentation ensures that your listing stands out in the local market. Just like the car you drive or the clothes you wear, your property listings reflect your professionalism and expertise as a licensed real estate broker.

A well-crafted listing presentation should capture the imagination of buyers, as well as appeal to other real estate agents and sellers. Great listings generate interest, multiple offers, and leave money on the table for sellers. Remember, you’re not just selling a property you’re selling a lifestyle.

Essential Tips and Tricks for Creating High-Quality Property Listings
Here are some essential tips and tricks to help you craft high-quality property listings that attract attention and generate results:

Buying a house heading

Write an Engaging Headline

The headline is the first thing potential buyers notice when browsing listings online, making it a critical factor in grabbing attention. A strong real estate listing headline should:

  • Be short and descriptive – Keep it concise while capturing the essence of the property.
  • Use powerful adjectives – Create an emotional impact by highlighting unique features.
  • Showcase key selling points – Mention aspects like curb appeal, open floor plans, or premium location.
  • Highlight lifestyle benefits – Appeal to buyers’ emotions by emphasizing the experience of living in the home.

For example, compare these two sets of headlines:

Good Headline:

– Charming Victorian Home in the City Center
– Stunning Modern Villa with Spectacular Ocean Views

Bad Headline:

– Four-bedroom City Home
– Beachfront Property

The first set immediately catches the eye and paints a desirable picture, while the second set is generic and lacks impact.

Enhance Your Headline with Key Features

Beyond the headline, the opening paragraph should reinforce key selling points and help potential buyers visualize the home. Consider including:

  • Property details – Open floor plans, hardwood floors, renovated kitchens, or luxury bathrooms.
  • Architectural style – Is it contemporary, traditional, minimalist, or rustic?
  • Scenic views – Mention beachfront, mountain, or skyline views to enhance desirability.
  • Local market appeal – Highlight how the property fits within local market conditions and its proximity to schools, parks, and amenities.

By crafting a compelling headline and an engaging first paragraph, you increase interest, attract serious buyers, and set the stage for a competitive price and multiple offers.

high quality photo kitchen

Use High-Quality Photos

High-quality photos are essential for making your property listing stand out. They create a great first impression, tell a compelling story about the home, and can lead to multiple offers. Clear, visually appealing images help buyers connect with the property and increase interest.

Why Photos Matter

First impressions count. The main photo should be inviting and visually striking. Photos that capture the home’s atmosphere help buyers envision themselves living there. Showcasing key selling points like a spacious backyard, infinity pool, or luxury fireplace can also boost buyer confidence and credibility.

Best Practices for Property Photography

Maximize your listing’s impact by following these tips:

  • Use a mix of wide-angle, close-up, and eye-level shots for variety.
  • Highlight key upgrades like a remodeled kitchen or hardwood floors.
  • Ensure proper lighting to make the space look inviting and spacious.
  • Arrange the photos logically, starting with the exterior and moving through the home.
  • Avoid blurry or poorly lit images.

Using Online Platforms to Promote Your Listing

Once your photos are ready, use online platforms to showcase your listing. These platforms make it easy to reach a wide audience, attract more interest, and increase the likelihood of multiple offers.

How Many Photos Should You Use?

A strong online listing typically includes 20 to 30 photos for a complete view of the home, helping buyers get a clear sense of the property before visiting.

The Importance of Staging

Proper staging is key for great listing photos. If in-person staging isn’t possible, virtual staging can enhance the home’s appeal. Staging improves curb appeal, creates a welcoming atmosphere, and helps the home appear photo-ready, often leading to quicker sales at higher prices.

person typing on a laptop

Create an Engaging Property Description

The property description should capture a buyer’s attention right away. Start with an engaging sentence and use specific adjectives to highlight the property’s unique features, like a “sprawling backyard,” “spacious open plan,” and “stainless steel appliances.” These details help buyers visualize the home and connect emotionally.

Consider these key points to enhance your description:

  • Focus on Key Features: Highlight aspects like natural light, hardwood floors, or a spacious garage. For example, “spacious dining area with large east-facing windows for plenty of morning light” paints a clearer picture than just “open dining area with windows.”

  • Mention the Neighborhood: Don’t just describe the home—mention nearby amenities, local schools, and transportation. This shows the buyer the full experience of living in the area and helps them connect with the property.

  • Show Your Expertise: Demonstrating your knowledge of the selling process makes your listing more trustworthy. Mention local attractions and schools to give potential buyers a better idea of the community.

By focusing on these key selling points, you’ll make your property description more appealing and increase interest from serious buyers

house with lots of greenery

Focus on the Lifestyle

Again, you’re not just selling a property you’re selling a lifestyle. While it’s important to mention key details like the number of bedrooms or square footage, it’s equally vital to highlight the lifestyle the property offers.

Describe how the home makes a person feel. Is it close to nature? Peaceful? Help potential buyers connect emotionally by painting a picture of the experience they’ll have. For example, mention how the open-concept kitchen is perfect for preparing meals with loved ones while enjoying music in the background.

Use descriptive phrases that allow buyers to imagine themselves in the space. Appeal to their senses—refer to the sounds, smells, and textures they might encounter.

For instance, say, “Wake up to the rustling of leaves outside your window while birds sing a charming morning song,” or, “The spacious kitchen features sleek granite countertops and high-end stainless steel appliances, making it a dream for anyone who enjoys cooking for friends and family.”

By using emotive, sensory language, you bring the listing to life and help buyers visualize not just the property, but the lifestyle they could enjoy there.

you are worthy of love

Share Neighborhood Highlights

The lifestyle you’re selling is deeply connected to the property’s location and the surrounding neighborhood. Help buyers visualize the area by sharing important details and nearby amenities. Mention the street address, major roads, public transport options, and local landmarks to paint a clear picture.

For example:

  • “Located on a quiet tree-lined street, just one block from Roosevelt Elementary School and a five-minute walk to Main Street.”
  • “This property is only a 15-minute drive from downtown, with easy access to the highway and a bus stop just one block away.”

These specific, clear descriptions help buyers understand exactly where the property is situated.

Don’t forget to describe the local neighborhood and amenities nearby. For example:

  • Grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, gyms, and parks
  • Natural attractions like lakes, hiking trails, reserves, or beaches
  • Family-friendly options like highly-rated schools, libraries, theme parks, and playgrounds

Additional neighborhood highlights such as a close-knit community, excellent school district, and low crime rates can also make a significant impact. This information helps potential buyers imagine their life in the area, increasing the appeal of the property and giving them a sense of the lifestyle they’ll enjoy.

upper part of the house

Highlight the Property’s Unique Selling Points

Every property has its own unique selling points that make it stand out from other properties. Maybe it’s a custom-built kitchen, a location near the city center, or a spacious backyard. It could also be the home’s historical architecture, renovated bathrooms, or sweeping views of the nearby mountain range.

Emphasizing the Lifestyle the Property Offers

You can also highlight the activities the property facilitates. Is it perfect for stargazing at night? Entertaining friends and family? Raising young children? Share examples of how the new owners could enjoy the space and lifestyle the property offers. For instance:

  • “The backyard fire pit is ideal for roasting marshmallows with kids on summer nights.”
  • “The home office offers a dedicated space for remote work or homeschooling.”

By emphasizing these unique features, you capture a potential buyer’s attention and set the property apart. A compelling listing should showcase these features through high-quality visuals, like 3-D walkthroughs, short videos, and drone shots of the property.

Enhancing Your Listing with Visuals

While photos are essential, many buyers now expect videos in a property listing. Several online platforms can help you create virtual walkthroughs and 3-D renderings of the property you’re selling. You can also collaborate with graphic artists or video editors to produce professional-quality content. Taking the time to include such details not only makes your listing stand out but also demonstrates your expertise and experience as an agent.

choose your words

Pay Attention to Length and Grammar

When creating a property listing, the way you write it is just as important as the details you include. Pay attention to the length, grammar, and accuracy of your listing. These aspects are crucial for creating a compelling and professional listing that will attract potential buyers.

An effective property listing is concise and straight to the point. Avoid using unnecessary words or phrases that don’t add value to the overall message. Focus on the key features of the property and emphasize them without over-explaining. Make sure to use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. After all, your listing is a reflection of your professionalism, so avoid slang or jargon that could confuse potential buyers.

It’s also vital that your listing is accurate. Double-check your facts before publishing. Ensure that important details such as the address, square footage, asking price, and key selling points are correct and free from mistakes. A simple typo, like confusing 5,000 square feet with 500, could harm your credibility and cost you a sale.

highnote logo

Use Highnote to Deliver Your Property Marketing

When it comes to presenting your property listing, Highnote helps you deliver an attractive and compelling marketing presentation in just minutes.

Using Highnote, you can compile all your property information into a single, trackable link. This means you get instant feedback on your property listings, such as how many times a potential buyer or another agent has viewed your presentation. Simply put, Highnote enhances your existing presentations and helps you stand out from other real estate agents.

As real estate agent Nancy Braun shared, “Highnote is a gamechanger. It provides an easy-to-use platform to create a unique, appealing, and professional presentation.” Highnote helps you become the best agent you can be.

Once you’ve crafted your property listing with Highnote’s tips and tricks, create a visually stunning presentation to showcase your listing and impress potential buyers with the listing presentation tools every real estate agent should know.

Real estate property listing

Elevate Property Listings with Highnote

Crafting a compelling property listing is key to attracting potential buyers, agents, and future sellers. A great listing not only highlights the property but also the lifestyle it offers. Focus on the key selling points like location, features, and upgrades that make the property stand out.

Also, emphasize the lifestyle the property provides. Is it near parks, schools, or local amenities? These factors are essential in attracting the right buyers.

Ensure your details are accurate correct asking price, square footage, and features build trust. Accuracy in your listing shows professionalism and can make the difference in securing a sale.

Remember, each listing reflects your expertise as a real estate agent. A well-crafted listing demonstrates your attention to detail and sets you apart from the competition.

More Resources

Author
Randy Tobbe is a dynamic and results-oriented sales and business development leader with a proven track record in financial, software, and consumer markets. He excels in identifying growth opportunities, enhancing relationships, and driving profitable sales. Randy is the Founder of RanToro Group, where he has been leading the company since September 2021. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Business Development at LionDesk from July 2017 to August 2021. He was also the VP of Sales and Marketing, and Partner at Realty Commander, where he played a crucial role from February 2010 to June 2017.