Virtually overnight, COVID drastically changed the way that most people live, work, and recreate. While some of those changes are sure to trend back to pre-COVID norms, many things are surely here to stay.

Most importantly to the housing market, an increase in remote working is likely permanent. This shift was already on its way, but the pandemic pushed up the timetable of when many workers would have been transitioned to work from home. As a result of this change, how people relate to and use their homes has undergone a major shift.

Market Changes

These changes are expected to add a large number of new buyers into the housing market. With the ability to work from home, commute times are less important. That means that many workers can leave their rentals in the high-priced cities in which they work in order to move into the lower priced areas surrounding them. Research from Zillow indicates that this fact alone is expected to add close to two million new buyers to the housing market.

In addition to the new buyers, current owners are expected to move at a higher than normal rate. How both of these groups of people see their current homes, and the things that they need in a home, have fundamentally changed. According to Realtor.com, people are looking for more space, more distinction of spaces, larger and better appointed outdoor spaces, and proximity to places where they can recreate away from large crowds.

What to Highlight

As such, the way that homes for sale are presented in marketing should change as well. Providing high-quality marketing materials is of obvious importance, but what home features are highlighted should be adjusted to fit current market trends.

Consider staging a spare bedroom or living area as a home office, rather than presenting it as a guest room. With so many people working from home, separate home office space has never been more attractive to buyers, so make sure it is noted.

Make sure that outdoor spaces are shown in detail. Great landscaping is more important than ever, and some simple and inexpensive decorations can go a long way to making a deck, patio, or porch feel much more luxurious.

It is still important to describe the convenience of the location of the listing, but more time than has been should be dedicated to calling out the type of spaces for which people are currently looking. Homes in suburban areas are of increased demand, so it is helpful to communicate a suburban feel. However, rather than solely focusing on commute times to population centers or shopping, place additional focus in your marketing on proximity to parks, recreation areas, and the like.

We Can Help

Things have changed for sure, and many of those changes are here to stay. The good news is that many of them are going to fuel a new demand for housing. These additional factors are sure to have a positive impact on the already strong housing market. However, to make sure that the most is being made of it, some simple changes should be made to how homes are presented to buyers.

American Real Estate Media works with our clients to make sure that the marketing materials they receive are exactly what they need to most effectively market their homes given current housing trends. To see the latest examples of our work and some galleries of our favorite shoots, please take a look at our Facebook page. For additional information on real estate photography, a full list of our services, and to book your next appointment, please visit our website.

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SHARED: WHAT SHOULD YOU HIGHLIGHT ABOUT YOUR LISTING DURING/AFTER COVID?

Jonathan Dupuis