The art of writing captivating listings is one of the most important skills for Realtors to have. You need the best listing description possible—something that is going to grab the attention of buyers and buyers’ agents alike. However, differentiating your listings can be a bit tougher than you think, so here are our best tips for writing listings that really grab readers’ attention!

Writing Attention-Grabbing Listings

Make Sure Your Descriptions Add Value

Always write descriptions with meaning. Simply saying “you’ll feel right at home in this delightful colonial” can be applied to any colonial home. It adds no value to the particular listing being advertised. Try using “enjoy the ornate lighting fixtures in this newly remodeled colonial” instead. This statement describes a certain aspect of the home and refrains from sounding generic.

Mention Brand Names

Don’t hold back from mentioning big brand names—if the home has high-end kitchen appliances, say so! Don’t simply say “upgraded”, knowing specific details about the home can help build the prospective buyer’s interest and excitement.

Don’t Overhype

While you want to be enthusiastic and get buyers excited, you don’t want to make claims about the property that are exaggerated or just flat-out not true. People will know if you are trying to trick them.

Instead of saying that the home has an “outrageously huge kitchen at least twice the size of other kitchens in the neighborhood”, tell buyers that it has a “spacious, eat-in kitchen”. You’ll help your reputation by being honest.

Format The Listing Description Properly

Make sure your listing reads well instead of randomly writing about the features of the home.  Your listing should have the following:

• Headline
• Opening Statement
• Clear, well-written description of features
• Any special promotions that the seller can offer (Bonus to buyer’s agent, assist with closing costs, etc.)
• Closing statement with a call to action

By keeping the listing description neat and easy to read, it will catch the reader’s attention better than a description that has no format, flow or clear message.

Listing Platforms

Other than the MLS, there are several listing platforms where the property will appear. Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com will all have your listing because a great deal of MLS services feed into their syndication.

The positive aspect is that these sites allow you to highlight your listings and attract new buyers. Obviously, this helps spread the word about listings. However, information on these sites isn’t always 100% accurate. For example, Zillow gives “Zestimates”for listings; estimates that tend to miss the mark. This misinformation can confuse buyers and frustrate sellers at the same time.

Effective Marketing Strategies for Listings

Now the property is listed, the description is written and the property is being advertised on various listing platforms. There’s still more you can do.

Photographs

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have excellent photos to go with your captivating listing description. Have a professional photographer take the photographs, as they can capture the home in the best way possible. Make sure the home is free of clutter, pets are kept out of the way and that the lighting is just right.

Use Email

Make sure to email the listing to all of your leads. Let everyone know about the newly listed property and take their feedback seriously. Encourage buyers to ask questions and visit the property and always follow up with a phone call.

Advertise on Social Media

It’s important to share your listing on Facebook and Instagram as soon as possible! If you’re advertising commercial properties, Linkedin can provide a viable option. Just don’t forget to link back to the listing on your website in the post! This can help bring in more traffic to your website while advertising other listings as well.

Send Professional Quality Mailers to the Community

You’ve worked hard to create an excellent description and take flattering pictures of the property. Make sure to get mailers with photos and the description into the hands of the entire community. This is a tried-and-true way to spread the word about homes for sale in the neighborhood. Residents who may have friends or family members looking to move into the area can pass along the listing, helping further your marketing efforts by word of mouth.

It’s always exciting to get new listings. Make sure that you complement them with attention-grabbing property descriptions! You can rest assured knowing that your listings highlight the properties in the best way possible, while using all available marketing tools to their full advantage.