5 steps to writing a great real estate ad

Wondering how to write a relevant and effective real estate ad to sell your home? We will explain how to do this in a few easy-to-remember steps.

'Real estate classifieds' are key to a successful marketing strategy for your home. And it doesn't matter if you sell alone or with the help of a real estate broker.

When well written, a real estate ad can facilitate and accelerate the process of selling a property. It therefore pays to master the art of design in order to capture the interest of potential buyers.

Don't know where to start? No problem! In the next few lines, we will discuss best practices for creating and publishing your ad.

1. Write a clear and precise text

The descriptive text relevant to your property forms the basis of a good real estate ad. It allows potential buyers to gain several important points of information regarding your home.

When writing, remember to use short and precise sentences. Be concise. Preferably, start with the essential information so that the interested reader can quickly find out if your home is right for them.

Most ads simply present relevant data and information. But that shouldn't stop you from being creative!

Feel free to add a little personality to your writing to stand out and try to capture the attention of potential buyers. A touch of humour can also be a good idea.

Be careful, however, not to overdo it. It's all a question of balance! The goal is to highlight the strengths of your home. It is important not to oversell its beauty.

Essential information to include in your listing

Certain information must be included in the description at all costs. These elements are among those that buyers will look for in your ad.

Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself what you would like to know if you were looking for a property yourself. This will allow you to better target the information you want to add.

Here is some essential information to include:

• Year of construction;
• Dimensions of the house;
• Number of rooms;
• Surface area;
• Size of the property:
• Materials used for construction (exterior cladding, roofing, etc.)
• Type of heating system;
• Inclusions and exclusions to the transaction.

You could also add some information about the neighbourhood where your property is located, such as:

• Availability of public transit;
• Proximity to stores and services;
• Atmosphere of the area and its surroundings.

2. Include multiple quality photos

Photographs are often the first thing you see. It is therefore crucial that they immediately capture the interest of the potential buyer.

We know that a photo is worth a thousand words. But they must still be of high quality! With the right framing, angle and brightness, the images of your home will constitute the heart of your ad.

Avoid posting blurry or poorly lit photos. These will not succeed in showcasing your property. You may also lose the interest of buyers, who will not want to pursue the process further.

Ideally, take your photographs during the day, when natural light is at its best. Remember to clean and clear your living spaces beforehand. If you're inclined to do so, you could even apply some home staging techniques to maximize your chances of capturing their heart.

In terms of quantity, consider including at least 5-7 photos of your home. But don't hesitate to add more. Take photographs of each room, from multiple angles if necessary, to give the most complete overview of your property. And don't forget to photograph the exterior!

If necessary, edit your photos to improve contrast, sharpness, etc.

Virtual tours: an additional asset when selling your home

If you want to take your listing to another level, you could offer a virtual tour of your home. This has the advantage of being much more dynamic for the potential buyer, in addition to saving you time for in-person visits.

Moreover, there is no shortage of options when it comes to virtual tours: image scrolling, 3D modeling, augmented reality, virtual reality, etc.

3. Set a fair selling price

The selling price is a crucial element to consider when placing your real estate ad. Too high, and it could drive potential buyers away and hinder your transaction. Too low, and it will lose you a well-deserved profit share.

To determine the ideal selling price, there are many valuation methods. You can try to do it on your own or you can make it easier for yourself by hiring a professional. A real estate broker or certified appraiser can help.

You can also read this article on the subject: How do I set the selling price of my home?

4. Choose where to publish your listing

Once you've written your text, taken your photos and set your selling price, you'll then need to choose where to place your ad. There are plenty of options available to you.

You will first need to choose the medium (web, newspapers, etc.) on which you want your ad to appear. Although websites are today the most used platforms for selling and buying properties, there is nothing to stop you from using more traditional methods.

Depending on your marketing strategy, you could also decide to publish your ad in one place or several, on a private sales site or on the specialized site of a real estate agency (if you are working alongside a real estate agent)... This last option is generally advantageous, since it ensures that your property has good visibility.

5. Promote your property listing

The last step in ensuring that your real estate ad performs well is to have a promotion strategy.

Contrary to what you may think, it is not enough to simply publish it and hope that interested buyers come forward. You'll need to take time and effort, especially if you settle for using a free ad site rather than paid advertising.

To improve the visibility of your ad, social media can come in handy. In this regard, the most used platform is without a doubt Facebook. Your post can be viewed and then shared by your loved ones, friends, etc.

If promoting your home is something you're less interested in, you might want to let a professional do it. A real estate broker will not only be able to help you at this stage, but also at all the previous stages. They are therefore an excellent asset when it comes to selling your home!

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