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Editor’s Note: Whether you have just landed a high-end listing, or want to persuade a seller that you know how to sell their luxury home, here’s what you need to know.
Tips On Marketing Luxury Homes
By Natalie Eisen, Staff Writer
Marketing a home may seem to some real estate agents to be a simple process – or, at least, one that is familiar. What exactly this strategy entails depends on the specific agent, but each has his or her own preference when it comes to advertising a home. When the selling price for the home jumps, though, many agents grow concerned that their methods for marketing may not work. Fortunately, several agents who often sell luxury homes are willing to weigh in on the subject.
“Selling a luxury home requires creating an image that engages buyers,” says Bryan Robertson, a Realtor from California. He recommends taking practical steps for preparing the home first: having the property inspected, fixing any minor damage, etc. Robertson feels that it’s even more important for a luxury home to be immaculate than a smaller property. “The physical impression is critical,” he explains, “and even the smallest flaw will stand out in an otherwise gorgeous home.”
“With an expensive home, smaller details really need to be repaired,” says Jennifer Kirby, a real estate agent from Minnesota. “If they aren’t,” she continues, “a buyer could get so fixed on these small flaws that they forget to see the bigger picture…the home.”
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Takes Money to Make Money
Once the house is sparkling, luxury agents recommend taking an extra step on marketing. “The biggest thing to understand is that marketing a home in this category takes money,” says Kirby. She recommends hiring professional photographers to take pictures of the house and taking the time to write a persuasive description. “Once everything is available,” Kirby explains, “I sit down and create a luxury website for the home. This sets a seller’s home apart from all the other high-end listings and shows how this home is special.”
“Having the right story and visuals creates a ‘brand’, just like Mercedes or Burberry,” says Robertson. “The brand is the image conveyed by the home using photography and videography. The home can be shown as impressive or understated, luxurious yet casual, and many other combinations. The brand will then appeal to the appropriate buyer.” Branding is an aspect that could be seen as more important for a luxury home than any other home. The buyer for a luxury home likely has an image in mind, and Robertson’s branding technique can take advantage of that.
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Cultivating a brand is all about having a unique message, according to luxury agents. “Advertising is a form of communication. In the realm of luxury real estate marketing, it needs to be an art form as well,” says Ron and Alexandra Seigel, founders of The Language of Luxury, a blog specializing in marketing luxury homes. “Look for a unique selling proposition. It is the unexpected that sells them,” the two advise. Luxury homes are unique and have their own selling angles that a smaller home may not. A cookie-cutter ad, the Seigals say, simply will not do.
In the end, experts agree that luxury homes must be marketed in a way that makes them appear unique and desirable to buyers. In a market where homes vary wildly in size and aesthetic, advertising as if the home is the only one of its kind is a valuable strategy. In some ways, marketing a luxury home can be a simple process after all.
We’re always listening: Send your story submission/idea to the Editor: dbrauner@orep.org.
by Tori Raddison
It was helpful when you said that smaller details need to be repaired so that the buyer can focus on your home as a whole. You wouldn’t want one small thing to distract from your big beautiful home. I’ll make sure that I double-check my house for things that might be seen as a flaw.
-by rachel frampton
You’re right regarding your statement that luxury homes should create an image that will engage the buyers. Also, I like that you mentioned how people tend to notice the smallest flaws of the house if it’s somewhat expensive. If I were to buy a luxury home in the future I’m willing to spend money as long as it’s worth it.
-by Dave Anderson
That is a good point that you need to engage buyers if you were selling a luxury home. If I were looking for a luxury property, it would be nice to see an image that caught my eye. This is something I will have to look into sometime soon to move my family into.
-by EDcook Real Estate
Well written and to the point. I appreciate the detail in this article!
-by Amy Winters
I like your suggestion to focus on marketing and hire a professional to take pictures of the home. My husband and I have a luxury home that we’re interested in selling so we can move closer to his family. I think we’ll hire a real estate agent to give us some more tips about how to take the extra step with marketing the house.
-by Shanette Deleon
Dear Ms Winters,
-I work with a company that purchase only luxurious homes in the state of Florida. Just wondering if by any chance the luxury home you want to sell is in Florida?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Sincerely,
Shanette Deleon
by Heidi Bookenstock
I have a relative who recently left her real estate agency for a new one that markets luxury homes. Luxury homes is a new field for her and she isn’t totally sure what’s she’s getting into. I like the advice that it takes money to make money, so that means it would be smart to hire professional photographers to photograph the house and trying to create the right “brand.”
-by EDcook Real Estate
Thank you for your valuable resources keep share the information like this…
-by Brynne Jones
I like how you mentioned that selling a luxury home requires an image that engages buyers. It was interesting that you included how it is more important for a luxury property to be immaculate than a smaller home. My uncle has lived a successful life, so he was able to build the luxurious home of his dreams. He has been wanting to sell the property and find something that would better fit his needs. Making sure his home is presented in a very appealing way could be key in finding a buyer.
-by Simon Smith
I came across with a unique luxury home in our area and I am searching for some marketing ideas. This article is helpful!
-by Barbara Herbert
I think when it comes to luxury real estate, buyers are the ones that comes to you. They know what they want because they have the money. but it doesn’t mean you don’t need to market it.
-by Simon Smith
That’s a good point to consider. Thank you!
-by Angela f. Correale
I have been in the business for 35 years. Mostly higher end housing for the past 15 of those years. I am curious, are there any sites to help with samples of marketing strategies and actual marketing plans for the high end homes?
-by Simon Smith
Yes. There is one. We created a marketing plan for a unique home in Eugene Oregon area market. We generated over 15k social engagement. The mansion is not on the market yet but we already have 3500 curious high-end home buyer. Contact Jocelyn Wing at 541-215-6511.
-by Simon Smith
Jocelyn is my marketing assistant. Her phone is 541-214-6511
-by John Mahoney
I liked when you talked about how hiring professional photographers can help you have good pictures to sell your luxury house. It makes sense that understanding how to stage and prepare a property for viewings can help you sell it faster. I can see how anyone looking into this would want to take their time to find a reputable real estate agent to make sure they have a professional team helping with this process.
-by Eric Lamore
An insightful article on how to sell luxury real estate. For those interested in Las Vegas luxury real estate, check out MacDonald Highlands.
-by Christina Grover
I agree with what Bryan says about creating an image that engages buyers. Whenever I go into a home, I want it to be move-in ready. If a realtor can help with any minor problems that make it easier to move in, they should. How often do realtors market and sell homes that are not ready for the market?
-by Simon Smith
We are marketing this home in stages http://villaingenieux.com It won’t be on the market in Eugene Oregon area until August 14th. We attracted over 15K of social engagement and over 5K visit to the property website. It’s a $2.5M home.
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