Does Your House Have Screen Appeal?
In today’s housing market, first impressions are often made online. How attractive and inviting your home looks in photos and videos, known as screen appeal, can be the deciding factor in whether buyers schedule a showing. Here’s how to ensure your home’s screen appeal is genuinely appealing and gets your house the online attention it deserves.
Start with a Clean Palette
Successful marketing begins before the photographer and videographer ever arrive. Addressing exterior and interior issues such as an overgrown landscape, discolored walls, broken cabinetry, or floor deterioration gives you an early advantage. With a little help from you, agents can showcase your home at its best.
Maximize Light and Layout
Good lighting is key. Open blinds, clean windows and use consistent light bulb wattage to create a warm, even glow. Consider removing oversized furniture to make rooms feel more spacious and inviting. Every photo should highlight flow and function.
Declutter, Depersonalize and Stage
The camera sees everything. Clear away clutter, remove overly personal decor and keep surfaces tidy. A neutral backdrop helps buyers picture themselves living there. Discuss with your agent whether professional staging can highlight your home’s strengths without feeling overly styled.
Showcase the Best Features
Think like a buyer. Begin by assessing your property’s curb appeal. Make sure the exterior reflects a well-maintained house and landscape. The kitchen, living room and primary bedroom should tell the story about the lifestyle your home offers.
Put Words to Work
While attractive photos and quality descriptions add value online, providing your agent with more details about additions, renovations or upgrades will let a buyer know you’ve taken good care of the home.
Warmth Wins Over Buyers
People aren’t just purchasing square footage — they’re investing in the feeling of coming home.
Increasingly, warmth is becoming a selling point. Multiple sources say the word “cozy” now appears in listing descriptions 35% more often than in 2023, signaling a clear shift toward a preference for more intimate, welcoming homes. Here are some ways homes reflect coziness.
Purposeful Spaces
Rather than open-concept layouts, some buyers favor smaller, divided rooms, creating intentional areas that feel personal and connected. Having defined spaces offers flexibility by allowing homeowners to tailor each room to their lifestyle.
Inviting Design
Built-in bookshelves, window seats and fireplaces evoke charm and quiet luxury. Enhancing these nostalgic features with soft textiles, vintage accents and layered lighting add character and comfort.
Hospitable Hubs
Kitchens are the heart of the home. Those featuring natural materials, ample sunlight and an easy flow encourage gatherings and everyday living.
Essential Questions To Guide House Hunting
Buying a home is a major decision, and no buyer wants to end up with regrets. By tackling the following questions, you can maintain your focus on what matters — a solid, reliable and enduring home.
Gather the Team
Who’s steering this ship? A knowledgeable real estate agent — well-connected with local lenders, inspectors and contractors — is invaluable when navigating competitive markets.
Know Your Limits
What can I afford? Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps prevent you from falling in love with a place that is beyond your budget.
Dig Deeper Than the Finishes
Am I overlooking fundamental issues masked by staged decor? Look past the cosmetics to the home’s actual condition by testing outlets, switches, faucets, doors, and windows during the house tour.
Factor in Ongoing Costs
Can I manage the maintenance? Plan on 1%–4% of the home’s value yearly, plus utilities and yard upkeep.
Remember the Big Things
How old are the critical systems? Repairing or replacing the roof, HVAC or plumbing can be expensive. Checking the age and maintenance records helps anticipate future expenses.
Discover the New Map of Opportunity
A recent U.S. housing market report reveals that more buyers are on the move, drawn to communities that combine affordability, comfort and long-term value.
- In the Midwest and Northeast, states like Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Connecticut are seeing slower rates of people moving out — and even modest population gains — signaling renewed interest in these regions.
- The Sunbelt continues to shine, with Texas, Florida and the Carolinas welcoming a steady stream of new residents.
- Western states known for their natural beauty and relaxed pace, like Arizona, Idaho and Alaska, are experiencing their own population boosts, proving that scenic living still holds strong appeal.
Can Online Market Valuations Accurately Price Your Home?
While it’s tempting to trust national real estate websites to determine a home’s market value, those estimates are no replacement for a local and in-person home valuation or comparative market analysis. Here’s why.
- Automated systems rely on patterns and generalizations that aren’t always accurate and can lead to an overpriced property stagnating on the market.
- Not all counties in the U.S. collect and report data in the same way, which means automated tools may not factor in renovations or home additions that influence value.
- Each site uses its own model for determining value. They may calculate square footage differently or even omit similar homes from comparison.
- Too few recent sales in a neighborhood can distort trends and impact accuracy.
- No algorithm captures unique features like panoramic views and landscaping, so these won’t be taken into account when calculating value.
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