Selling your home is a significant decision for your Palm Springs home or any other location, and selecting the right realtor is crucial to ensuring your property gets the attention it deserves. In today's digital age, where the majority of home buyers find their homes online, the presentation of your listing can make or break the deal. Here’s why picking the right realtor is essential and what you should look for during the interview process.

*Bad photos courtesy of The Close

First Impressions Matter

Studies show that most home buyers start their search online. This means that the photos and media representing your home are the first things potential buyers see. It breaks my heart to see listings with only one photo saying "more photos coming soon." Guess what? Most buyers won’t come back. With new properties hitting the market all the time, they’ll quickly move on to the next listing.

Another pet peeve is listings with numerous poorly shot photos. Images that are not edited or cropped properly fail to show the house in its best light, doing a disservice to the seller. When agents list a property, these photos are almost immediately shared with third-party platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com. Therefore, it is crucial that your property looks great to encourage potential buyers to ask more questions and ideally, schedule a viewing.

*Bad photos courtesy of The Close

Sometimes, it's crucial to stage properties before taking photos. Small modifications can make a significant difference in how the photos appear. Proper lighting, decluttering, and professional staging can transform a space, making it more appealing to potential buyers. Staged homes not only look better in photos but also help buyers visualize the property's full potential. Investing in quality staging and photography is essential to attract more interest and maximize the property's appeal.  A can of paint can go a LONG way....

*Bad photos courtesy of The Close

No one can debate the advantages of staging. However, it does come with a cost. An alternative option is virtual staging, which allows buyers to visualize how the property might look, rather than just seeing a bare, empty room. Yet not all virtual staging services are created equal; some can make a home look incredibly inviting, while others can fall flat. Therefore, it's essential to ask your agent for examples of virtual staging they have done for other properties. This will help ensure that your property is represented online in its best light. By carefully selecting a high-quality virtual staging service, you can significantly enhance the appeal of your home to potential buyers. 

*Bad photos courtesy of The Close

What to Ask Your Realtor

When interviewing realtors, here are some important questions to ask:

1. Photo Quality: Ask to see examples of other listings they have online. Are the photos professional and enticing? High-quality photos are a must for attracting buyers.
   
   
   Photo Courtesy of Clay Baham, The Paul Kaplan Group
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3. Marketing Strategy: How will the agent get the word out about your property? Will they just list it on the MLS and hope for the best, or do they have an active social media presence? Check how many followers they have on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. An agent with a robust online presence can get your listing in front of more eyes.
4. Brokerage Support: What kind of support does their brokerage provide? Does the brokerage also post listings on their social media? The reach of both the agent and the brokerage can significantly impact your listing’s exposure.
   
5. Website and Online Traffic: Does the agent have a professional website? How many hits does it get? The agent’s website should be a key part of their marketing strategy, attracting frequent visitors who are potential buyers.
   
   3-d marketing wall thru
6. Database and Networking: How extensive is their database of potential buyers? Do they send new listings to other agents as well? Networking with other agents can increase your listing’s exposure to a broader audience.
   
   Photo Courtesy Alex Dethier, The Paul Kaplan Group

The Paul Kaplan Group Advantage

At The Paul Kaplan Group, we prioritize professional photography to ensure your home is presented in the best possible light (unless unforeseen circumstances, such as tenant restrictions, prevent it). Here’s what sets us apart:

• Professional Photos: We almost always use professional photos to showcase your property.
  
  Photo Courtesy Alex Dethier, The Paul Kaplan Group
• Strong Social Media Presence: We have close to 20,000 followers on Instagram and 5,000 on Facebook, and our brokerage, Bennion Deville Homes, regularly posts our listings to gain additional attention.
• Extensive Database: We have approximately 18,000 people in our database. We send out new listings and a weekly newsletter highlighting our listings and open house schedules.
• Comprehensive Website: Our website is rich with content that attracts and retains interested buyers, ensuring they frequently return to see what's new.
• Sales Reports: We provide detailed sales reports showing where we've promoted your listing and how many people have seen it, which we share frequently with our sellers.

Our goal is to get your listing in front of as many potential buyers as possible, leveraging high-quality visuals and extensive marketing efforts to achieve the best results.

Choosing the right realtor is not just about listing your home; it’s about strategically marketing it to maximize exposure and attract serious buyers. The Paul Kaplan Group is committed to delivering exceptional service and results, ensuring your home is seen by the right audience.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you sell your home with confidence.
*Photos courtesy of The Close: 45 Bad Real Estate Photos Agents Actually Posted (theclose.com)