By Ashley Brunner
Selling a home is like dating—there’s always someone out there who’s just right for your property. But if you want to turn that casual shopper into a passionate buyer, it helps to woo them with staging and smart marketing. Your house type, your neighborhood, and the amenities in your community home are indicators of who is most likely to be passionate about your property. If you can determine what kind of buyer will be most passionate about your home, you can stage your home in ways that fire the flame.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to make your Central PA home irresistible to different buyer types*, the magic of great photos and staging, the importance of marketing, and how to find the real estate agent who can turn “for sale” into “sold.”
Identifying Probable Interests
First things first—who is most likely to fall in love with your home? Buyers in Central PA come from all over, and many are trading the high cost of big cities like Philadelphia or New York for the (literal) greener pastures here. Some want a simpler life; others just want less hassle. It’s all about knowing which kind of buyer is likely to swipe right on your listing.
Consider who is most likely to like your home based on its location, type of home, local amenities, and school districts. Here are a few typical buyer types and how to attract them:
Families
Families are looking for space—both inside and out—and a safe, kid-friendly environment where their kids can grow up without the risk of stepping on one too many LEGOs. If your home is in a good school district or close to family-friendly amenities, they may have more interest in your property. Here’s how to make them feel right at home:
- Yards: Families want room to run, so if you’ve got a yard, make it look like the place where dreams (and swing sets) are built. Clean, safe, and well-kept is the name of the game.
- Finished Basements: You may have ignored your finished basement while you lived there, but families see it as the ultimate playroom or teen hangout. Stage it like it’s the next big thing—maybe even rent some furniture for showings.
- Bedrooms: Got a home gym or office? That’s nice, but families prefer bedrooms. Turn those converted spaces back into bedrooms to up your appeal.
- Fun Touches: Scatter some stuffed animals around, set up a toybox, and throw a few rubber ducks in the bathroom. It’s like staging your home for a family but without the chaos of an actual family.
Young Professionals
Young professionals are after convenience, modern living, and an Instagram-worthy aesthetic. If you have a smaller home, an urban property, or a sleek modern home, your property may have special appeal to younger buyers. They’re not looking for extra space to fill with toys—they want sleek, simple, and easy. Here’s how to get their attention:
- Low Maintenance: Young professionals do not want a second job managing home repairs. Get any maintenance issues sorted out before you start showing your place.
- Style: For younger buyers, design is everything. Staging can make the difference between “meh” and “OMG.”
- Storage: Clean out those closets, cabinets, and storage spaces. This group wants to see space for their minimalistic wardrobe, not your 12 winter coats and boxes of mystery junk.
- Clean and Odor-free: Make sure everything sparkles and smells great—no lingering cat hair or questionable kitchen aromas, please.
Retirees
Retirees are looking for easy living, peace, quiet, and a safe neighborhood where they can enjoy their golden years without constant trips up and down stairs. If you have a property near health services, a single-level home, or are located near retiree-friendly amenities, you may be able to make your home even more appealing to this group.
- Accessibility: Got a walk-in shower or single-level living? Brag about it. These features are a huge selling point for retirees. It's even better if you’ve added lever handles or stylish grab bars.
- Light and Safety: Seniors love well-lit homes, and adding a few extra lamps or outdoor lighting can give your home a cozy, secure feel.
- Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Think easy, breezy, and drought-resistant. Retirees are done with mowing lawns—they want plants that care for themselves.
- Security Systems: Even in safe neighborhoods, seniors appreciate the extra peace of mind from a camera doorbell, security lights, or a complete home security system.
The Power of High-Quality Photos and Staging
No matter who is shopping for your home, good photos and staging will whet their appetite. Think of it as your home’s first impression—it needs to look irresistible, even before buyers set foot inside. Professional photography makes all the difference.
- Lighting: Pros know how to use natural and artificial light to make each room shine.
- Angles: The right angle can make rooms look more spacious and make unique architectural details stand out.
- Consistency: Your photos should tell a story—one where potential buyers picture themselves living in your home.
The Role of Marketing
It’s a digital world, and your home needs to shine offline and online if you want a quick sale. The more eyes on your listing, the better.
- MLS: We make sure your home is listed on MLS, the real estate agent’s secret weapon for finding homes for clients.
- Social Media: The Brunner Group will post your listing on Instagram, Facebook, and more. Don’t underestimate the power of a shareable listing and virtual tour.
- Virtual Tours: A virtual tour from The Brunner Group lets buyers “walk through” your home without even leaving their couch. It’s a game-changer.
- Neighborhood Marketing: Often, your best prospects are friends and families of neighbors. That's why The Brunner Group sends open house mailers to the neighborhood and even knocks on doors to issue a personal invite.
Finding the Right Real Estate Agent
Finally, you need the right agent to help you navigate the market. The Brunner Group is your perfect match, with local expertise, savvy marketing skills, and a track record of making homes disappear from the market faster than you can say “multiple offers.”
- Local Expertise: We know Central Pennsylvania like the back of our hand and have a proven track record here.
- Marketing Savvy: From high-end listings to social media magic, we’ve got the tools to market your home like it’s the next big thing.
- Proven Track Record: Our average home sells in less than 20 days—and often for above asking price.
Whether you’re selling to families, singles, or retirees, a customized marketing strategy will make your home stand out. And with The Brunner Group by your
side, it’s only a matter of time before you’re popping the champagne to celebrate a successful sale. Contact us today to get started!
* It is wise to make your home attractive to groups of buyers, such as families, young professionals, or retirees, but it is unlawful to discriminate in any way. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the PHRA amendment, as well as the Fair Housing Act, protect against illegal discrimination of individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, sex, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals ((43 P. S. § § 951—963). The Brunner Group does not tolerate any type of discrimination and will not act in
ways that support or enable it.
