How to improve your ‘screen appeal’ in the new age of home buying

With the momentous changes 2020 has brought, it’s easy to overlook the daily processes being transformed to fit into our new normal. Home buying and selling are transactions that often cannot be put on pause due to the current global pandemic, yet can’t safely utilize the methods that have been in place for years. Growing families, relocations, downsizing and investments all continue despite these challenges, and buyers and sellers adopt new processes to stay safe without sacrificing their ideal outcomes. 

When you make the difficult choice to sell your home or investment, the clear choice to put your property’s best foot forward is staging. Staging sets up your property to feel inviting, open and full of possibilities for prospective buyers. Currently, inviting a team of designers, movers and rental furniture into a private space can present unnecessary risk, and parties are favouring a virtual method or a combination of both! With this curveball, it’s now the time to prioritize ‘screen appeal’ over the traditional ‘curb appeal.’ Although making the shift to the virtual option seems simple, the question stands: how can you effectively translate the feeling of walking through a home via the internet? 

Check out our tips below to enhance your screen appeal in this new age of home buying.

Try Virtual Staging 

If you have an empty home, you can stage it virtually! Many online services offer online staging, which can give your home realistic furnishing without the hassle of staging or breaking the bank. This process is perfect for apps and websites that host 3D tours and allows wiggle room to switch up your furnishings based on response. A mixture of some furnishing and some virtual staging also saves time and money while limiting crowds in the property. Virtual staging for large pieces allows room in the budget to carefully curate smaller, in person features like shelving and nooks. 

Try Virtual Staging 

If you have an empty home, you can stage it virtually! Many online services offer online staging, which can give your home realistic furnishing without the hassle of staging or breaking the bank. This process is perfect for apps and websites that host 3D tours and allows wiggle room to switch up your furnishings based on response. A mixture of some furnishing and some virtual staging also saves time and money while limiting crowds in the property. Virtual staging for large pieces allows room in the budget to carefully curate smaller, in person features like shelving and nooks. 

Consider the ease of online shopping 

When you begin the process of staging for virtual showings, consider the ease with which we online shop. We have multiple tabs open, and tons of options to quickly scroll through. Just like shopping, prospective home buyers now have access to every property in their desired locations at their fingertips. This unheard of, in-depth view of properties means that one can tour many properties with a few clicks, instead of the shortlist a prospective buyer would usually be able to view in person. This being said, make your property stand out to speedy scrollers with exceptional photographs, attractive art and appealing descriptions. Search other listings to determine what draws your eye to specific properties - and what doesn’t - and employ those preferences in your listing. 

Say farewell to clutter 

Don’t distract buyers’ eyes from your home’s top features with a cluttered space! Consider removing large family photos, or polarizing art so your prospective buyers can easily visualize themselves in the space you are advertising. An open space appears larger, and less distractions allow the viewer’s eyes to focus on the bigger picture, even on a small screen. 

Utilize nature’s lighting 

If you’re unable to use professional lighting, make sure to use natural light! Allow yourself plenty of time to shoot photos and videos during the day, so you’re not racing against sunset. Take advantage of the consistent, good lighting that varies least during midday. If you’re unsure or simply want to make sure your home is showcased optimally, take test shots with various lighting before posting your content. 

Make your space universally appealing 

If you’ve personalized your layout with niche hobby rooms, now is likely the time to revert them back to bedrooms. This way, prospective buyers can imagine their own usages of the available space. Ensure that buyers who require the use of multiple bedrooms for a large family don’t scroll past your space, finding it difficult to imagine your pottery studio as their nursery.