So it looks like we are returning to a more normal housing market – a slower market. And just to be clear on my take on all this, not a crash – but the kind of market we were living with before the crazy last couple years. So, marketing a home is probably going to require more than just posting on the MLS and then expect multiple offers the next day. You’ll need to do more to reach all the buyers qualified to buy your home. If your home in the Eastern Panhandle, that means reaching buyers that are out of state because chances are that’s where your buyer will come from. We’re close to the DC Baltimore area where there’s lots of higher paying jobs, but that area is crazy expensive and very congested.
So the lower prices, open spaces and small towns in the Eastern Panhandle are very appealing because we are uniquely located close enough so that people can commute and now that telecommuting is more available, more buyers from those high cost areas are looking at the Eastern Panhandle.
The first thing someone does that is thinking of buying a home is to start their search online. And that’s true for local buyers as well as buyers relocating to this area . and it’s usually with google which is by far the most used search tool. Out of town buyers usually start out with more broad search terms about what this area is like – something like Living in the Eastern Panhandle or “Moving to the Eastern Panhandle” When they do that, various websites including YouTube videos pop up. Unlike Facebook posts, YouTube videos are included in Google searches and the reason for that is because YouTube is owned by Google. So, Given that relationship, it makes sense that google is going to include YouTube videos in the results that pop up when you enter a search term. So it’s a good idea to include a YouTube video in the marketing mix because it is more likely to appear to people searching on Google.
Also very important – Good professional photos – we always do that. But photos alone don’t tie it all together. You really need to explain how the house flows, where the rooms are located. If a caption is not on the photo, it’s difficult to tell what rooms are in the basement, or upstairs. You can explain those kind of things in a video. One of the things that is particularly attractive to out of town buyers is a drive through the neighborhood while pointing out nearby amenities – parks or landmarks. They also want to know where the home is in relation to schools, stores, medical facilities. Plus things like your favorite restaurants, local events That kind of community information is very important to out of town buyers. And if your home is in the Eastern Panhandle, you’ll want to attract out of town buyers as well as local buyers..
We’ve been doing videos about this area and homes available here for a couple of years. And we are told time and time again how much these videos provide valuable information especially to people moving here from out of the area. Many of the subscribers to our channel are from out of the area (lots from Maryland) or in some cases out of country. We are currently working with buyers from California and a family from Hungary. Both like this area for the same reason many find it attractive. The lower costs, open spaces and the short drive to major metropolitan areas – where they may like the cultural events and variety of restaurants but wouldn’t want to live there.
The Eastern Panhandle is close to but a world away from the Washington/DC metro area in terms of cost of living and lifestyle. So a lot of out of town buyers find this area very appealing and the place they most often go to learn more is a Google search. Now that we’re approaching a slower market, you’ll want to reach as many qualified buyers as possible including out of state buyers and the best way to do that is to feature your home in a video on a YouTube channel that shows up in a google search. With a slower market, reaching these out of state buyers is more important than ever.
If you’d like a Selling Your Home Guide, You can download that by clicking on the link below or at https://meetmeinthepanhandle.com/topdollar
And be sure to Call us anytime if your need help in the real estate department. 304-264-2828.
