The old saying a picture is worth a thousand words has never been more true. With the influx of social media advertising influencing every aspect of daily life from what to buy at the grocery store to what to watch on a streaming service, it’s no surprise that the way consumers shop has altered as well. The way people make big purchases has changed; we research cars online, read reviews for a new refrigerator, and start home searches online too. As a local Realtor® in Locust Grove, VA, it’s important for me to know and share with my sellers how we can best reach potential buyers. Here are four important facts to know about buyers.
1. 51% of buyers found the home they purchased on the internet. According to the 2021 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, just over half of all buyers found the home they bought over the internet. This means that buyers are making a lot of decisions about what homes to see in person based on the information given on a website.
2. The information on a web page that lists your home for sale is important. 89% of all buyers value photos as a website feature. Also important are detailed information about the property (86%), floor plans (67%), real estate agent contact information (63%), and virtual tours (58%).*
3. Most buyers stay in the same state. 76% of buyers in an age range of 31-40 report purchasing a home in the same state as their current.* What does this mean as a seller? That your buyer is likely coming from the same state as you. However, this does not mean that the buyer lives in the same region as you.
4. There are many reasons for moving. The top reasons for buyers to move include wanting to be closer to family or friends, their current home is too small, there is a change in the family situation, and a job relocation.* As a seller, this means that you shouldn’t limit your home to just the spring market. People are looking for homes throughout the year.
What does all this mean?
This tells us that the content of a website and the way your home is present online matters! Whether you have a home for sale in Lake of the Woods, are thinking about selling a family home in Orange, VA, or are ready to put a lot up for sale near Lake Anna, having a great Realtor® who can take and apply this information to marketing your home is important. We want to reach as many potential buyers as possible and target how they are searching for homes for sale. I can help you do this!
*Statistics from the 2021 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report.
