Contributing Author: Olivia Forgette

Making a strong virtual impression when selling your property is top of mind in today’s tech-forward environment. Digital appeal is the new curb appeal for many homes hitting the market. We are here to give you expert advice on how to boost your home’s digital curb appeal.

The first impression online is more important than ever for buyers. In fact, 90-percent of all buyers search online during their home buying experience, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) report.

Nearly half of buyers surveyed by Zillow in 2024 said they would feel somewhat confident making an offer on a home after only virtually touring the property.

The importance of your homes’ online presence is clearly the key to getting an edge over the competition this spring. Let’s dive into our top tips on how to boost your home’s digital curb appeal.

Hire the right agent

Your digital curb appeal starts with your real estate agent. Your agent is there to market your property, and a big part of that is marketing it online. Not all agents are created equal.

It’s important to choose someone who understands the value of your digital curb appeal. Some things your agent should do for your home’s online presence include:

  • Hire a professional photographer to ensure your home looks its best online (snapping photos on a phone for free is not the way to get the most equity out of your home)
  • Invest in getting a 3D tour created for your space so potential buyers can get a real feel for your home and its layout
  • Provide an interactive floor plan so buyers can understand room placement
  • Offer Zillow Showcase to give buyers the best online experience when viewing your home
  • Give drone photos to show off your exterior space
  • Show how your space can be flexible (offer virtual staging of a space as an office or converted to a home gym etc.)
  • Virtually stage your home to show its true potential (a great agent will show your home virtually staged in multiple aesthetic styles to appeal to buyers varying taste)

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Your agent should also provide you with a compelling online description of your home.

An engaging, detailed, and accurate home description can increase the home sale price, make your home sell faster, and attract more qualified buyers. Using a narrative voice with storytelling can help sell your home faster.

A qualified, competent agent also will provide you with a list of “need-to-fix” items before your property is ready to photograph and list. This is a crucial step to making sure your home has good digital curb appeal.

 

Spruce your space

Speaking of a “need-to-fix” list from your real estate professional, this list is another key to how to boost your home’s digital curb appeal. Making small repairs or updates before listing your home is common but also helps boost the attraction to potential buyers.

Some upgrades that could help enhance your home’s digital curb appeal include:

  • Deep cleaning
  • Decluttering inside and out
  • Depersonalize the home (remove personal photos, signs of pets, religious items etc.)
  • Replacing or professionally cleaning carpets
  • Refinishing or replacing damaged flooring
  • Fresh, neutral paint inside
  • Touch-up or refresh exterior paint
  • Swap out fixtures for more modern, aesthetic options
  • Ensure major appliances and home functions are working properly (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, kitchen appliances, windows, roof etc.)

These updates can help improve your home’s digital curb appeal to make buyers say, “I need to tour that home!”

Top tip: You can opt to get a home inspection yourself before listing your home for sale. This way you know if there are any major issues that will cause future problems before hitting the market. Surprise fixes can become deal breakers in the future, wasting time and money.

 

Enhance your layout

To boost your home’s digital curb appeal, another great idea is to enhance your home layout with furniture placement, keeping in mind how it will appear on camera. It’s important that your home looks spacious, inviting, and open through the camera lens.

Try adjusting your furniture placement to ensure a clear walkable pathway for your 3D tour. Remove clutter and be sure that furniture is sized appropriately for your space.

Another great tip before your photoshoot is to open blinds for maximum natural light. This will present a warmer, brighter, and larger looking space in your photos.

 

Share and market

Once your home is in tip-top shape, and your online listing is shining, it’s vital that your agent shares the listing! Showcasing your home on social media, on home listing websites, and throughout personal connections and networks will help you sell fast and for top dollar.

 

We hope that when you list your home, your listing stands out online. Choosing an appropriate agent that knows how to boost your home’s digital curb appeal is key to getting your property under contract and to the closing table. Maximize your equity by enticing buyers online before they buy with enhanced digital curb appeal.