Tips to Improve Your Digital Presentations and Home Sales

Most home shoppers start their search online, so a strong digital first impression is crucial. We asked Roland Nairnsey, president of New Home Sales Coach, for tips on how builders can improve their digital presentations, such as listings, virtual reality renderings and augmented reality apps.

A top tip?

“Be creative! In one of our communities, it was like a living nature preserve. We added real photos of deer amidst the early morning fog, as well as wonderful exotic snow birds that would visit.”

Here are more props and tips he recommends to improve your listings.

Create color floor plans

Color and texture will always make your floor plans stand out.

• Highlight with blue wherever you have sinks, tubs, showers and pools.
• Highlight closets and storage with a different shade.
• Display furniture to illustrate lifestyle and livability, whether staged or using an augmented reality (AR) app.
• Include a softer edge to create the idea of landscaping.

Keep it real

Home shoppers want to see a complete home and are excited by total square footage, so share everything you can and use real images when you have them.

• Show real flooring where you include it, like tile in the wet areas.
• Builders pay to build garages, patios and porches — account for their square footage and share the grand total with clients.

Go big or … well, you know

Don’t let buyers lose out on the details by using visuals that are too small to showcase your best features.

• Use large digital images that are optimized for fast loading.
• Make the floor plans fill the page.
• Format your printed floor plan as a large fold-out that covers a table.

Use high-quality virtual reality renderings

When you don’t have photos yet, invest in high-quality renderings that represent the complete vision of your homes and communities, and include:

• The best angle to showcase the home and its architectural style
• Correct colors and finishes, such as stone, brick, columns, rafter tails, brackets, gables, pre-cast and trim work
• Lights
• Details such as gutters, downspouts, GFIs, etc.
• Landscaping, trees, blooming flowers and sod
• Dusk setting with the home’s lights on to create an alluring glow
• Interior views, such as the kitchen, great room, primary bedroom and foyer
• Jaw-dropping views of the outdoor living space, pools and the best of the surrounding community

Show off stellar photography

It’s important to visually wow home shoppers right out of the gate, so make your top three show-stopping photos the very first ones buyers see. For example, start with the stunning waterfront view, then add the remaining photos in order of importance.

Change the order of your photos to start with the unique selling features that stand out from the crowd and draw the buyer's eye. Be sure to include:

• High-quality photos of the home’s details
• Ceiling heights and details, such as crown molding, tongue in groove, beadboard, beams and wainscoting
• Large or picture windows, doors, and sliders
• Millwork, archways and fireplace details
• Kitchen counters, cabinets and appliances
• Master suite and master bathroom
• Covered patios (both front and back) and outdoor kitchens
• Landscaping features
• Views: front, rear and sides — depending on what’s most appealing
• Shots at dusk with the home’s lights on

Renderings and images courtesy of 3 Gems Architecture LLC and MediaLab 3D Solutions.