Builds Trust

The first and most crucial benefit of client reviews is that they build trust between a business and its customers. When people are considering making a purchase, they want to know that they are making an informed decision. By reading the reviews of previous customers, they can feel confident that they are making the right choice. Moreover, if a business has a high volume of positive reviews, it can create a sense of social proof and encourage potential customers to trust the business even more.

Provides Insight

Client reviews can provide valuable insights into a company’s strengths and weaknesses. Positive reviews can highlight what the company is doing well, while negative reviews can point out areas that need improvement. A business can use this information to make changes and improvements to its products or services, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Enhances Online Visibility

Online reviews are critical for a business’s online visibility. When customers leave reviews on platforms such as Google or Yelp, it can improve a business’s search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find the company online. Furthermore, positive reviews can encourage more customers to leave reviews, further increasing the business’s visibility and reach.

Boosts Sales

Client reviews can significantly impact a business’s bottom line. Studies have shown that a high volume of positive reviews can lead to increased sales, while negative reviews can hurt a business’s revenue. Positive reviews can act as a form of advertising, encouraging potential customers to make a purchase. Conversely, negative reviews can deter potential customers, leading to lost revenue.

Encourages Customer Loyalty

Finally, client reviews can help to encourage customer loyalty. When a business responds to reviews, whether positive or negative, it shows that the company values its customers’ opinions and is willing to go the extra mile to address any concerns. This can foster a sense of loyalty among customers, encouraging them to continue doing business with the company in the future.

In conclusion, client reviews are crucial for any business looking to succeed in today’s competitive environment. They build trust, provide insight, enhance online visibility, boost sales, and encourage customer loyalty. By actively monitoring and responding to client reviews, businesses can improve their reputation and bottom line, ultimately leading to long-term success.

Now let’s get into the detail of how you can start implementing changes to your business that will result in more positive reviews.

Provide exceptional service: The best way to ensure positive client reviews is to provide exceptional service. Go above and beyond what is expected of you and strive to exceed your client’s expectations.

Ask for feedback: Don’t wait for your clients to leave a review, ask for feedback after you have completed your work. Let them know that you appreciate their business and would love to hear their thoughts on their experience.

Make it easy for clients to leave a review: Provide clear instructions on how clients can leave a review, including links to review sites or social media platforms. Make it as easy as possible for clients to leave a review by guiding them through the process step-by-step.

Respond to all reviews: Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value your clients’ feedback and are committed to providing exceptional service. Responding to negative reviews in a professional and courteous manner can also help mitigate any damage to your reputation.

Follow up with clients: Following up with clients after you have completed your work shows that you care about their satisfaction and are committed to ensuring they are happy with the service they received. This can help you catch any issues early on and address them before they turn into negative reviews.

Provide exceptional service:

• Set clear expectations with your clients upfront about what they can expect from your service and how you plan to deliver it.
• Communicate regularly with your clients to keep them informed about the status of their project or work.
• Personalize your service to each client’s unique needs and preferences to show that you are invested in their success.

Ask for feedback:

• After completing a project or work, send a follow-up email thanking the client for their business and asking for their feedback.
• Include a survey or questionnaire in the follow-up email to make it easy for clients to leave their feedback.
• Offer an incentive such as a discount on future services for leaving a review to encourage clients to share their thoughts.

Make it easy for clients to leave a review:

• Include links to your review pages on your website, email signature, or social media profiles to make it easy for clients to find and leave a review.
• Provide step-by-step instructions on how to leave a review on each platform to eliminate any confusion or frustration.
• Consider sending a reminder email to clients a few weeks after the project or work is completed to encourage them to leave a review.

Respond to all reviews:

• Set up notifications for when a new review is posted on your review pages to ensure that you are aware of any feedback.
• Respond to positive reviews with a thank you message, highlighting any specific details the client mentioned in their review.
• Respond to negative reviews in a professional and courteous manner, addressing any specific concerns raised and offering a solution to the issue.

Follow up with clients:

• Schedule regular check-ins with your clients to ensure that they are happy with your service and address any concerns they may have.
• Send a follow-up email or message after completing a project or work to ask for feedback and ensure that the client is satisfied.
• Offer additional resources or support after completing a project to show that you are invested in the client’s long-term success.

Getting positive client reviews is crucial to the success of your business or service. By providing exceptional service, asking for feedback, making it easy for clients to leave a review, responding to all reviews, and following up with clients, you can increase your chances of getting more positive client reviews and improve your online reputation. Remember, your clients are your best advocates, so make sure that you treat them like VIPs and provide them with the best service possible.

The post Have You Considered, The Impact Reviews Can Have On Your Business? appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

As the real estate industry continues to evolve, virtual staging has emerged as a powerful tool for showcasing properties in the best possible light. With the advent of advanced technology, virtual staging has become an integral part of the real estate market, offering real estate agents and home sellers an opportunity to present properties in an attractive and engaging way to potential buyers.

Virtual staging is a process of adding digital furniture, decor, and accessories to real estate images to create an inviting and visually appealing interior. Unlike traditional staging, which involves renting furniture and setting up the property physically, virtual staging is done using computer software.

With virtual staging, a property can be transformed to look its best without the expense and hassle of traditional staging. It can also help buyers envision the potential of a space and provide a sense of how they could use the space.

In this blog, we will explore how virtual staging can affect a homebuyer’s perception of a property and how this can impact their decision to purchase. We will also provide examples of how virtual staging can be used to enhance a property’s appeal and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Finally, we will outline the benefits of virtual staging in terms of making a property more marketable and helping it to sell more quickly.

Virtual Staging and Perception

Virtual staging can have a significant impact on a homebuyer’s perception of a property. By showcasing a property’s potential in the best possible light, virtual staging can make a home look more inviting, spacious, and attractive. It can also help buyers visualize themselves living in the space, which can lead to a stronger emotional connection to the property.

For example, if a potential buyer is browsing through real estate listings online and comes across a property that has been virtually staged with a modern, trendy interior, they may be more likely to schedule a viewing or make an offer. By presenting the property in an appealing way, virtual staging can make a property stand out from the competition.

Virtual Staging Examples

Virtual staging can be used in a variety of ways to enhance a property’s appeal. Here are some examples of how virtual staging can be used to transform a property:

Transform a vacant space into a fully furnished home – Virtual staging can add furniture, decor, and accessories to a vacant space, making it look like a fully furnished home. This can help buyers visualize the potential of the space and imagine themselves living there.

Highlight a property’s unique features – Virtual staging can draw attention to a property’s unique features, such as high ceilings, crown molding, or a fireplace. By showcasing these features, virtual staging can make a property more attractive to potential buyers.

Create a modern interior – Virtual staging can be used to create a modern, trendy interior that appeals to today’s homebuyers. By incorporating the latest design trends and styles, virtual staging can make a property look more up-to-date and desirable.

Benefits of Virtual Staging

Virtual staging offers several benefits to real estate agents and home sellers. Here are some of the ways virtual staging can make a property more marketable and help it sell more quickly:

Cost-effective – Virtual staging is much more cost-effective than traditional staging. With virtual staging, there is no need to rent furniture or hire a staging company, which can save sellers thousands of dollars.

Quick turnaround – Virtual staging can be done quickly, often within a few days. This can help sellers get their property on the market faster and reduce the time it takes to sell.

Increased marketability – Virtual staging can make a property more marketable by showcasing its potential in the best possible light. By presenting the property in an attractive way, virtual staging can help it stand out from the competition.

Better online presence – Virtual staging can improve a property’s online presence by making it look more attractive and engaging.As most buyers start their home search online, a property’s online presence is crucial in attracting potential buyers. By using virtual staging to create eye-catching and inviting images of a property, sellers can increase the chances of attracting interested buyers.

Customization – Virtual staging provides the flexibility to customize a property’s interior design to appeal to a specific target market. For example, a property located in an urban area can be staged with modern, minimalist furniture to attract young professionals.

Easy adjustments – Virtual staging allows for easy adjustments and modifications, making it easy to update the staging to match current design trends or preferences. This can be particularly helpful for properties that may have been on the market for an extended period.

In conclusion, virtual staging can have a significant impact on a homebuyer’s perception of a property, making it more attractive, marketable, and desirable. By showcasing a property’s potential in the best possible light, virtual staging can help sellers sell their property more quickly and at a higher price point. As virtual staging technology continues to evolve, it is likely to become an even more integral part of the real estate industry. Interested in learning more about how you can level up your virtual staging experience? Get in touch with our team today!

The post The impact of virtual staging on homebuyers’ perception of a property appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

A homeowner can prepare for the big photography day in a variety of ways.

It is preferable for the agent to provide the homeowner with specific instructions rather than suggestions or recommendations. People prefer to do what they are told rather than what is suggested. If you are not working with an agent and intend to go it alone, this checklist will come in handy to ensure that you have everything prepared.

It only makes sense to thoroughly clean the home from top to bottom, but we wanted to highlight a few areas that require special cleaning attention in order for a home to look amazing in real estate photos and videos. These are great things to do the day before a photo shoot. After cleaning, keep these areas clear so they look their best when the photographer arrives.

• Floors
  • All carpets, including stairwells and area rugs, should be vacuumed.
  • For the best shine, wet mop all hard floors.

• Countertops (clear & clean)
• Tabletops (clear & clean)
• Windows (Inside & Out)
• Fireplace
• Webs of Spiders (check ceiling corners with a duster)
• Landscape
• Remove Grass
• Remove Weeds
• Long tree branches should be pruned.
• Leaves Rake
• Clear the Snow
• Pool Is Clean
• Clean the Porch

What to Remove in Real Estate Photography

A number of items in most homes must be removed and not shown in photographs or videos. This can be inconvenient because it often necessitates looking for a place to store these items while the property is on the market. Keep a positive attitude in mind. The property will be sold, and the items will need to be packed for relocation anyway. We recommend that the following items be boxed and stored as soon as they are removed. The garage’s interior is rarely photographed. This can be an excellent location for storing these items.

• Personal photographs (feel free to substitute art/landscape photographs)
• Small area rugs (it’s always better to show off the entire floor)
• Cleaning Materials
• Shampoo, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste
• Shoes
• Jackets
• Stick-On items for the fridge (magnets, pictures, etc…)
• Hoses (wall-mount, pool, etc.)
• Planters that are no longer in use
• Magazines, newspapers, and flyers
• Appliances for the Countertop
• Booster Seats for Children
• Gates for Babies
• Diaper Bins
• Garbage (kitchen, bathroom, other)
• Toys and Balls
• Mantel For Fireplace (limit to only a few items)
• Personal Items on Nightstands and Dressers
• Chargers for Cell Phones
• Family Photographs
• Items found beneath the bed (these can often be visible in a photo)
• Cars parked in the driveway
• Wall Decals and Stickers

Checklist for a Real Estate Photography Day

• Turn on all of the overhead lights and lamps.
• Turn off all ceiling fans.
• Turn off all televisions.
• Turn off all computer screens.
• Allow natural light in by opening blinds or window treatments.
• Make all of the beds.
• Close the garage doors.
• Remove all vehicles from the driveway.
• Take the dishes out of the sink.
• Straighten all of the chairs.
• Arrange and fluff furniture pillows
• Make the bed, add decorative pillows, and pull the linens tight.
• Completely clean the countertops.
• Remove the toilet seats.
• Close the closet doors.
• Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, and other items from showers and tubs.
• Set out new, unused towels.
• To remove pet hair from furniture, use a lint roller.
• Remove all pets from the house.
• Place garbage cans in the pantry or closet.
• Open the pool cover and activate the water features

Consider bringing out….

• Decorations for Tables
• Sun-bleached outdoor patio cushions that are bright and vibrant
• Colorful fresh fruit bowl

Keep in mind that your photographer is not responsible for picking up items, cleaning, adjusting linens, or rearranging furniture. This is the agent’s and homeowner’s responsibility. If you are unsure how something will appear in the photograph, plan to meet the photographer on location and request a preview of the photograph. This ensures that you are happy with the angles and content that appear in the final photo product. Check out some of our amazing works and book a quick call with our team to know more about our real estate photography services.

The post How to Get Your House Ready for Real Estate Photography appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

A virtual tour can help you show your listing in the best light. Here’s how to make yours shine!

Book the tour

We are happy to take care of all your marketing needs as a real estate pro. Our team of Photographers is always ready to go! We get in touch within 24-48 hours to confirm your booking and answer any questions you may have about the shoot or our process.

We work with you to plan your photography session and make sure you get the most out of it. Set your budget, location, and timing, then sit back and let us do the rest.

View the Property

You’ll get the confidence you need to produce beautiful photo tours of your clients’ homes. We strive to make the experience as comfortable as possible and our focus is on doing whatever it takes to ensure that every home tour is special for both your client and their family. We’ll take a shot on every relevant corner of the listing for you to deliver as much information to your client. 

Promoting the Tour

The process of selling a home can be stressful, and there is nothing worse than working with someone who isn’t invested in you or your property. At OTBx Air, we believe in being part of the solution. Your satisfaction with our service is always our top priority. We go above and beyond to meet your expectations and will always come back if you need our help.

Gain more Leads

Today’s home buyers are looking for more than just a photo of their new dream home. They want beautiful, professional photos that showcase the property in all its glory. As a listing agent, you’ll have to have professional-quality photography done for your listing. When customers can easily find and understand what they are looking for, they will trust you and be more likely to apply for a mortgage. We can help you stand out from the competition by providing all the marketing tools you need! 

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Boost your brand with professionally shot photos, videos, aerial drone footage and images, and 360-degree virtual tours. Reach out and work with only the best team of photographers and videographers in Calgary today! We offer great rates, and lots of experience, and can help you grow to new heights! Let’s get started.

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to be updated on exciting and relevant real estate content!

The post 4 Easy steps to ensure you get the most out of your listings, every time! appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting out, the composition is an essential aspect of creating great images. In this blog, we’ll be discussing some fundamental principles of composition that can help you to improve your photography and take your images to the next level. From the rule of thirds to negative space, these tips will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to create visually stunning and impactful photos. So, whether you’re capturing a beautiful landscape or a candid portrait, these tips are sure to come in handy. So, let’s dive in and learn how to take your photography to the next level.

1. Rule of Thirds: One of the most fundamental principles of photo composition is the rule of thirds. This rule states that if you divide your image into thirds horizontally and vertically, the points where the lines intersect are where the viewer’s eye will naturally be drawn. By placing your subject or key elements at these points, you can create a more visually interesting and balanced image.
2. Leading Lines: Leading lines are lines within the image that lead the viewer’s eye towards the subject or main point of interest. These lines can be natural, such as a road or river, or man-made, such as a staircase or fence. By incorporating leading lines into your composition, you can guide the viewer’s eye and create a sense of depth and movement in the image.
3. Framing: Framing is another technique that can be used to guide the viewer’s eye and create a sense of depth. This can be done by using natural elements, such as trees or arches, to frame the subject, or by using man-made elements, such as doorways or windows. Framing can also be used to create a sense of enclosure and intimacy in the image.
4. Balance: Balance is an important aspect of photo composition and refers to the distribution of visual weight within the image. A balanced image will have elements that are evenly distributed, while an unbalanced image will have elements that are disproportionately weighted. By paying attention to balance, you can create a sense of harmony and stability in the image.
5. Negative Space: Negative space is the area around and between the subject and objects in an image. This space is just as important as the subject itself, as it helps to create a sense of depth and balance in the image. By using negative space effectively, you can create a sense of simplicity and elegance in your images.

In conclusion, these are just a few tips for better photo composition. By applying these principles, you can create more visually interesting and impactful images. However, it’s important to remember that these are just guidelines and not hard and fast rules. The most important thing is to experiment, have fun, and always be open to new ideas.

The post 5 Tips For Better Photo Composition appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

Whether you are the event organizer or an invited speaker, here are some tips on how to maximize your RIO as an event speaker (and for your event speakers):

1. Make self-promotion easy. Give them your conference’s unique hashtags and taglines so they can easily promote and share the event on social media.
   
2. Make an eye-catching event packet that contains everything within one place and send it to the speaker and their promotion team.
   
3. Provide a preview of what to expect. Raise awareness of the keynote speaker’s expertise and insights among attendees and audiences who may be engaged in the content.
4. Leverage social media to build up hype.
   
   Facebook is the most adaptable engagement platform. Almost any type of content, including video, long posts, and images, performs well on this platform. 
   
   Instagram lets you share inviting photos of your event, including behind-the-scenes footage to keep your audiences engaged.
   
   You’re missing out on a large audience if you don’t use YouTube to market your keynote. Share previous conferences to show previous events. 
   
   Twitter helps you spread information in bite-sized chunks. It also allows people to tweet about the keynote speaker before, during, and after the event.
   

As a speaker, you may be accustomed to getting the most out of your own events. But I bet you’re unfamiliar with all the opportunities for engaging attendees before and after your events. Attending events can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but it’s also one of the most effective ways to grow your business. Here’s how to maximize your ROI as an event attendee: 

Lastly, when whether you are supporting other businesses or your partners are supporting you, here are effective tips to boost your event ROI with sponsorships: 

1. Influencers All The Way. Consider including valued “influencers” rather than valued “sponsors” in your conferences. This strategy can add many new elements to your event. An influencer can be a valuable asset to your event marketing efforts. The more a sponsor participates in the conference as an “influencer” from the content to future program ideas, the more invested they become in the success of your event. 
   
2. Include Your Influencers as Audience. When considering your organization’s conference goals and objectives, remember to include sponsors (these influencers) as part of your audience. Treat your partners as if they are conference VIPs. Allow partners to build rapport with those they want to meet the most. Simple additions such as VIP social functions provide a significant amount of benefit to your valued partners.
   
3. Make Rich Content Possible. Allow your partners to host a conference breakout session or participate in a panel discussion. Look to your partners to improve the content by including case studies and informative materials on your strategy. Attendees appreciate seeing real-world examples to bring home with them. These sessions work best when they are centered on success stories and problem-solving rather than sales pitches.
   
4. Keep The Connections. Demonstrate that your relationship with your partner is more than an annual occurrence. Include partnership and endorsement elements that occur outside of your conference. Involve your key influencers in the form of an advisory board to get great feedback and collaboration on strategies. To keep the partnership alive throughout the year, develop a marketing strategy that includes social media, webinars, content development, and other tactics.
   
5. Exceed the Expectations! By incorporating marketing elements such as these into your sponsorship combos, you can easily see that sponsorship is about more than just collecting cash from your partners. You can increase the impact of your events by strategically positioning your sponsors as integral stakeholders in your conferences, allowing your partners to be powerful influencers.

In today’s world, events are no longer the simple meet and greet. Events are a great marketing tool to generate leads and create more business opportunities. It helps you connect with influencers to build your personal brand and grow your next revenue stream. Support your influencers and make more business with these tips. Share your tips with us too, or join us at our next event! We’d love to meet and know more about you.

We can help turn your events into a success. Let OTBx make your events memorable for your audiences!

The post How To Maximize Your ROI On Events As An Attendee, Sponsor & Speaker appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

Although the notion that spring is the best time to sell is widely held in the real estate industry, there are opportunities for business during the winter. Winter is the best time to convince your clients to sell during the winter instead if it makes sense for their situation. 

Here are some tips to grow your business even during the Winter season

1. Marketing and Networking

When things are slow, you should step up your real estate networking and marketing efforts. You want to get as many clients and leads into your pipeline as possible so that when spring arrives, you’ll be ready to start seeing homes fly off the shelves. Attend community gatherings and business luncheons. Look for volunteer opportunities in your area that will allow you to meet new people. Whatever you do, make a point of following up with any new contacts you make.

When it comes to targeted advertising and marketing, many agents choose to ramp up their efforts during the slower season.

2. Investigate new markets

Another great way to make the most of your free time during the real estate offseason is to explore new and exciting fields. Because the real estate industry is notoriously competitive, real estate professionals frequently believe that they must learn more, be more, and do more in order to succeed. This theory, however, is somewhat deceptive. In fact, you should be selective in determining your target market. When agents market themselves as experts in a specific industry niche, it benefits both the agent and the client.

3. Increase the Effectiveness of Your Real Estate Marketing Campaigns

During the busy summer selling season, you spend your time scheduling open houses and giving potential clients tours. Now that things have calmed down, you should concentrate on your marketing campaign while continuing your education in real estate.

Take the time to learn about the latest real estate marketing trends and find one that works for you, particularly real estate social media marketing. Perhaps you’d like to learn how to use Instagram to attract new clients or how to optimize Facebook ads to reach the right audience. In the future, you may need to update your website, start a blog, or experiment with videos for your listings.

4. Continue your learning

What is the current state of the real estate market? What abilities do you need to develop? Look for courses that will help you fill these gaps. Slow periods are ideal for completing them. You can also find professional development courses on almost any topic you want to learn about. And by the time spring and summer arrive, you’ll be on top of your game.

Don’t be cold to your business this winter, stay connected with your clients and continue to grow during the cold months. Get in touch with our team to get started on the marketing tools you need to keep your business warm during these chilly months. 

The post Preparing for Slower Season in The Real Estate Industry appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

Realtors have used stagers to physically prepare homes since the 1970s, when they first began hiring them. These days, more and more real estate agents are virtually staging homes. Why do so many real estate agents use virtual staging to market their properties?

Because high-quality virtual staging looks almost identical to photographs of conventionally prepared homes, you may be unfamiliar with virtual staging (i.e. in-person, physical staging).

Virtual staging is something that most of us have come across without even realizing it. Because no one wants a house that is messy or empty, staging is essential when trying to sell a property for the highest possible price.

What exactly is traditional home staging?

Realistic home staging, also known as traditional home staging, entails hiring a professional to help you prepare your home for sale before listing it. They will provide appropriate furniture and décor items for the best results.

Home stagers strive to improve the layout and design of a property in order to increase the likelihood of it selling. Staging a home traditionally assists buyers in visualizing themselves in the home prior to making a purchase. Furthermore, it reduces flaws in a home that might otherwise deter prospective buyers.

When a house is in good working order, home staging repairs aren’t as necessary as they are in older homes. Each unit requires time and money to maintain. Furthermore, it is difficult to keep stage furniture current with current trends on a regular basis.

What exactly do we mean by virtual staging?

Designers can virtually stage space for web photos using a technique known as virtual staging. It transforms bare rooms into beautiful, three-dimensional spaces that are fully furnished. Traditional staging shows property as it is, whereas virtual staging shows it as it could be. This is the most significant distinction between the two.

Virtual staging requires only a photograph of the space to be staged. The image is then transformed by virtual stage designers with years of experience. They insert furniture from a library of computer-generated objects such as chairs, sofas, coffee tables, mirrors, décor, carpets, and plants to achieve the desired appearance and feel.

Virtual staging is rapidly gaining popularity and is now the preferred method of house staging among millennials, baby boomers, and the silent generation, all of whom use the internet to find real estate.

What Is the Allure of Virtual Staging?

In a sellers’ market, homeowners may be reluctant to spend thousands of dollars on repairs and improvements that will take a long time and money to complete. Even though sellers are adamant about getting top dollar for their properties, many buyers are wary of the concept of “spending money to earn money” when the real estate market is hot and cash bids are plentiful and frequently exceed the asking price.

Virtual staging, on the other hand, maybe a simple and inexpensive way to show prospective buyers the size, scope, and variety of a home while saving sellers time and money.

Advantages of Virtual vs. Traditional Staging

There are a number of compelling reasons why more home sellers are opting for virtual staging rather than traditional staging. A few things to think about are listed below.

Virtual staging is an extremely effective digital marketing tool

It’s understandable that most home buyers start their search for a home online. More importantly, 97% of those buyers said the photos in the ad were the most important factor in their decision to buy. Listings must be presented visually appealingly if they are to attract and retain the attention of buyers.

There are numerous design elements to choose from

Designers are not limited by what furniture is readily available. With their extensive furniture and décor selections, which include infinite styles, colors, and sizes, you can create a personalized environment for your potential customer persona. Using the editor, you can fill images with exactly what you want. With virtual staging, you can cater to the specific desires and needs of your target audience.

Provides a realistic sneak peek of the property

Virtual staging allows your customers to see what your home will look like before you list it for sale. Virtual staging adds realism, lowering the likelihood of viewers passing over your home. More of them, on the other hand, begin to click on it to view the rest of the house you’re attempting to sell.

It saves both time and money

You do not need to hire staging companies to relocate and replace old furniture. You don’t even need to rent expensive staging furniture and accessories to stage your home. Virtual staging is ideal for empty homes, but it can also be used to showcase ongoing restorations, new construction, or remodeling ideas and plans. Using virtual staging instead of real-life staging saves money.

Sellers Can Use Virtual Staging While Still Living in Their Current Home

Virtual staging is an excellent option for sellers who are still living in their home while it is on the market. Virtual staging does not remove or alter existing design elements in a home. However, you will be permitted to remove personal items or furnishings that may have an adverse effect on your listing. After staging photos are taken, furniture and other items may be returned to their original locations. Virtual staging is more convenient and allows you to continue living comfortably while your home is on the market.

In the digital era, technology is transforming the real estate industry. Many homebuyers begin their search for a home by looking at what’s available for sale on the internet. Consider using virtual staging to attract customers via the internet. When it comes to finding the right buyer for your home, virtual staging is the way to go!

The post The Advantages of Virtual Staging Over Traditional Staging appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

If you’re like most people, you want to be successful in the real estate industry. You want to be able to reach a goal, fulfill a dream, or just feel like you’re making progress toward something meaningful.

But how do you know if you’re actually moving forward? How do you tell if what you’re doing is working?

The answer is: by investing in great photography.

When it comes to setting goals, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of what’s really important—but when you invest in great photography, the end result is clear: your business will grow more quickly than ever before! And that’s because great photos sell! Here are some ways to take great photos of your listings.

1. Set the scene

A great photo can sell a home—or at least give potential buyers some idea of what they’d be getting if they bought it. But where do you start?

First, think about how your space looks when the sun is shining through the windows. Is it bright and airy? Or does it feel like a cave? If it’s dark, try taking some photos in direct sunlight or with a flashlight pointed at your subject. You might also want to take some photos that capture the space at night to show how it looks under artificial light. create a focal point in the room, so that the viewer’s eye is drawn directly where you want it.

2. Create a focal point

Next is creating your focal point: what will make someone stop in their tracks when they look at your photo and want to see more? Try using a piece of furniture as a centerpiece for your photo, or using natural light to draw attention to something special in the room—like an incredible view or an intricate piece of art on the wall.

3. Home Entrance First Impressions

When people walk into your home’s front door, they’re going to have an immediate impression of what kind of house they’re walking into—and whether or not they want to continue exploring. Your front door and foyer are the first things visitors see when they arrive, so make sure they’re well-decorated, clean, and organized and make them feel ‘entranced’. It’s called an entrance for good reason. A good rule of thumb is: if it doesn’t fit in your hand or can’t be picked up, then it shouldn’t be on display.

4. Showcase the Space

Showcase the space by making sure that any furniture pieces have been dusted and polished, floors have been swept and mopped (and swept again), and windows have been cleaned (and cleaned again). If possible, try to include furniture pieces that aren’t part of the standard decor in order to give potential buyers ideas about how they might use the space if they bought it themselves.

In terms of lighting, avoid harsh overhead lights and aim for soft natural light from windows or skylights. If you don’t have any windows or skylights in the room you’d like to feature in your photos, try using table lamps or sconces instead of overhead lights.

It’s a well-known fact that great photos sell homes, whether you’re an agent or a buyer. But what if you could make them sell even better? Our top-of-the-line Photography services can help you get the most out of your listings, so you can close more sales and bring more people into their dream homes. 

Are you ready to sell more homes? Reach out to our amazing team to learn more about professional real estate photography in Calgary.

The post Investing In Great Real Estate Photography Never Fails appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 creative ways to market your home for sale so that it gets the attention it deserves. All of our methods for selling your home at any price point are supported by real-life examples of creative genius and novel twists on traditional tactics.

1. To get noticed, use an inflatable dinosaur as a gimmick

Nothing stands out more in a listing than a unicorn in the bathroom. A gimmick is a device or trick used to draw people’s attention. They’re appealing, memorable, and sometimes revolting. However, if you know your target market, a gimmick could be a fun way to generate interest in your home for sale.

2. Non-traditional holidays, such as Make Your Own Holiday Day, are excellent marketing opportunities

Nothing stands out more in a listing than a unicorn in the bathroom. A gimmick is a device or trick used to draw people’s attention. They’re appealing, memorable, and sometimes revolting. However, if you know your target market, a gimmick could be a fun way to generate interest in your home for sale.

Here are a few of the most bizarre holidays:

March 27 is Make Your Own Holiday Day

It’s a day to create a holiday out of something, someone, an animal, a phrase, or a dish.

This unofficial holiday honors all made-up holidays from the past, present, and future, and encourages people to think of unique, funny, eccentric, important, and meaningful things to celebrate, observe and commemorate.

April 3rd is World Party Day.

The festival is based on the ending of Vanna Bonta’s 1995 novel Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel, in which a countdown to April 3, 2000, occurs. The first Party Day was held in 1996 all over the world.

Organize a block party in your neighborhood. Peace begins at home and with community spirit. Enjoy spending time with your neighbors!

May 1 is Batman Day

The unofficial holiday honors and celebrates one of the world’s most well-known comic book superheroes. While its origins are unknown, it is widely assumed that it commemorates the date in 1939 when the crime fighter first appeared in Detective Comics.

Put on a cape and go to work dressed as Batman. What good is an epic home viewing without a little flair?

June 19 is Sauntering Day

Sauntering Day is an annual holiday that encourages people to take a break from their hectic schedules and slow down for a while. Everyone is encouraged to take a leisurely stroll because the term sauntering appears in the day’s title.

3. Create a short, sweet video.

Make a short video highlighting your home’s best features. To capture and retain your viewer’s attention, we recommend the following video lengths for each social media platform:

15-20 seconds on Instagram

2 minutes on Facebook

2 minutes on YouTube

2 minutes on LinkedIn

Select a video topic based on your overall marketing budget and target audience:

• Music Video: A little lip-syncing goes a long way on the internet. Do you like to dance? Display your best moves.
• Aerial adventure: Take prospective buyers on an aerial tour of your home’s spectacular location.
• Home Tour: Invest in the best OTBx team and let us get you those jaw-dropping shots.
• Luxury Lifestyle: If you’re selling a luxury home in a competitive market, OTBx is the only team to consider highlighting the property’s distinguishing features.

4. Collaborate with local micro-influencers.

To spread some local love, cross-market your house listing on social media with a local legend. Connect with a local brand or person of interest who has a 1,000 to 100,000-person following. You share a post tagging their business with your/your agent’s followers, and they in turn repost or create a post referring their followers to your listing.

5. For maximum exposure, use social media to photobomb your listing posts.

People are more likely to interact when they see a familiar face in a photograph. The more comments and shares your post receives, the further it spreads across social media networks, appearing to friends of friends who are potential buyers.

Let our creative team help you achieve your goals today!

The post 5 Innovative Ways to Sell a Real Estate Listing appeared first on OTBx Air Calgary.