You only have two seconds to attract a buyer to a property according to Lyra Homes sales agent and principal Anna Khandhar otherwise they’ll scroll right past.
Ms Khandhar said online advertising was key to selling a home, and although that came with challenges, it made selling a lot more efficient.
“If you’re looking to buy a home, the first place you look is online,” she said.
“You don’t really drive around the streets anymore to see what’s for sale.
“I am very big on first impressions, so styling your home is very important.
“Unfortunately, some people can’t afford styling, but now there are options for virtual styling.”
Ms Khandhar said with modern technology she could take a photo of an empty house and style it digitally.
“There’s a company that can add furniture and styling to suit the concept of the home, whether it’s Hampton or a farmhouse look.”
She said photos of a home needed to attract the potential buyer within seconds.
“So, if there’s no wow factor in the first photo you see, I would have missed you as the buyer,” she said.
“And then when you come to the home, it needs to live up to your expectations.”
Ms Khandhar recently sold 22 Sunflower Crescent at Calamvale for $950,000.
The property was completely vacant when it sold, but Ms Khandhar said it was styled virtually.
“The styling was amazing and allowed buyers to have a perspective of the various spaces in the house,” she said.
She said the property spent five days on the market.
There were three open homes, 68 groups through the property, 17 offers and it sold to a “lovely couple”.
Virtual styling also suited situations where new photos aren’t an option, Ms Khandhar said.
Owners recently put their tenanted property on Bailey Street at Yarrabilba on the market, but Ms Khandhar couldn’t take new photos because “no permission was given”.
Instead, she used the original photos the owner had from when he purchased the property and styled the home virtually.
“It attracted many interstate investors, and it is under contract now,” Ms Khandhar said.
She said it took more than just an online presence to sell a home, such as cleaning the house, updating linen, and repairing any damage.
But she understood there were sometimes financial restraints.
“I often help owners organise someone to do the lawn mowing and prepare the yard, and it doesn’t cost that much, especially when you’re selling a $1 million property,” she said.
Ms Khandhar said it was also important to open windows and doors, not only to let in natural light, but also to ventilate the home.
“Another big thing to take notice of is pets – especially dogs, because they often leave a lot of ‘chocolate cakes’ in the backyard,” she said.
“I often ask owners and tenants to take them out for a walk, because it makes a difference.”
Anna Khandhar 0424 164 980
