One side effect of the global coronavirus pandemic has been the need for caution when interacting with others in indoor spaces. Social distancing has given rise to all sorts of new innovations and changes in how we interact, from eCommerce to distance learning online. The real estate industry has been no exception. Remote home viewings have become even more common because of the pandemic.
For sellers and buyers alike, remote home viewings offer plenty of benefits. Any interested prospective home buyer can get an up close and personal view of the home for sale at any time, not just during a scheduled open house that might conflict with their personal schedule.
Plus, remote viewings can be witnessed from anywhere across the country- or even anywhere in the world, so long as the prospective home buyers have access to a reliable local internet connection. So interested parties who may be relocating from farther away than the next county over can still get a great sense of what the home for sale is like.
As you prepare to show off your home online during a remote viewing, however, there are plenty of important things to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at some key factors to remember when showing your home off remotely.
- Declutter, Clean, Organize
When preparing to show off your home in person or online, decluttering, cleaning, and organizing is key. You want your home to shine in its best light, so every surface should appear spic and span. For a remote viewing in particular, it is vital that there not be any clutter confusing the image that viewers are seeing on screen. That means a deep cleaning, clearing, and decluttering is necessary. And by deep, we mean you will need to clear out the clutter from the bathroom counter, from the medicine cabinet, from the bookshelves, even from the attic or under the stairs storage area.
Viewers will want to see every part of your home, including those hard to reach areas, and you should be open to sharing every nook and cranny. That way prospective home buyers can get a thorough sense of all the features your home has to offer. But that also means committing to a very thorough decluttering and cleaning. Dust the windows, wipe the countertops, and don’t let any small detail slip through the cracks. That will lend itself to a more impressive home viewing, even- and especially- remotely.
Decluttering is also a great way to prepare for a move, so you will be satisfying two needs with one cleaning. For a remote home viewing, pack away any personal objects that might prevent the viewer from getting a clear sense of what the home looks like. You want to strike the right balance between showing what the home can look like when it is lived in (by sharing a few carefully selected personal items) and letting potential buyers imagine how your home would look with their objects and furniture placed throughout. Be careful with your selections, providing a curated view of what your home can look like- as someone else’s home.
- Boost Your Home’s “Screen Appeal”
As we mentioned before, you will want your home to shine in its best light. And that can be literally refer to your home’s lighting. Adjust the lighting so viewers can see all parts of the home clearly. Experiment with turning all the lights on, and make sure all blinds and windows are open to let in that glorious natural lighting. Do a few test runs, with friends, family, or colleagues serving as your test audience so you can make sure that the lighting is properly adjusted. Play around with lamp placement and angling spotlights to highlight your home’s best features.
You will also want to make sure you attend to the details. Patch up any peeling paint. Place fresh flowers in the kitchen, and plant some brightly colored flowers in pots by the front door. If you have a stunning spiraling staircase or a gorgeous bar, show those off during the viewing.
If your home features fantastic sunset views, or a lovely afternoon golden glow with a beautiful scene, consider filming your remote home viewing during that time, so viewers can experience the best your home has to offer. Think about what made you fall in love with your home in the first place; those are the features you will want to sure and emphasize for your prospective home buyers.
- Remember Security
Since most remote home viewings are widely available to anyone with reliable internet access, you will also want to keep your own security in mind. Hide any valuables from sight, and tuck away your home safe under a blanket, or inside a closet. You don’t want any potential thieves to be given a guided tour of where you keep your important items.
Prospective home buyers will also want to know that the home they are buying is safe and secure. If you live in a particularly safe neighborhood, be sure to mention this in your video, or in any accompanying notes. And be sure to show off any security features your home contains. If you have a full blown home security system, a smart lock, a security camera, or even just a smart doorbell, make sure to share this during your remote viewing. Particularly for families with young children, a great pre-installed home security system can be the tipping point factor that makes your house stand out over the competition.
- Share The Full Picture
As you prepare to share your home for sale during remote viewings, keep in mind the buyer’s perspective. What kinds of things would you want to see when viewing a new home? What questions would you want to have answered?
Chances are you may even be attending some remote viewings yourself as you search for your next home to move into. Take notes on what worked and what didn’t work from any remote viewings you may have attended. The more thorough and open your home viewing is, the better the sense of your home prospective buyers may have.
Plus, presenting your home through a remote viewing first has the added benefit of sifting through casual open house attendees, so that your more seriously interested parties will be coming to the negotiation table faster, better informed- and more likely to make an offer.
This article was written by Teresa Bennett. She is a passionate writer and reader. She is fascinated by all things real estate, travel, and health. She lives with her two cats and a dog in a small menagerie.