Every home has its own story. One of the top reasons why Homesale Realty stands out is our agents' uncanny abilities to learn and showcase those stories, highlighting the reasons a home is distinct from others like it. The story can be woven into listings and other materials.

With experience, many agents develop an instinct for the best way to position a home. You can start the process by talking to the seller, but never allow yourself to feel limited. Thinking systematically about the home's story can unlock powerful opportunities to attract buyers.

People naturally respond to stories — telling and listening to stories helps us make sense of our lives and the world around us. So, it should come as no surprise that learning how to tell stories in a listing is a skill that comes in handy. It can get properties sold faster and at better prices.

5 Ways a Home's Story Can Help Sell It

1. Start Storytelling During Your First Walkthrough
   The first time you tour a home with sellers, they probably have a lot of stories they would like to tell. If a home has been occupied for years, letting go isn't easy! Ask about their most vivid memories of each room — for example, Thanksgiving meals shared in the dining room. If a home is on the older side, it's wise to check property records to see if a noteworthy person has ever owned it. That's an instant story.

2. Shift Your Thinking from Features to Stories
   Do you love relaxing in front of the fireplace on a chilly autumn night? So does your ideal buyer, if the home has a fireplace. A home's features are just the start — it's what we do with them and the memories they make that really matter. From cooking on the grill in the spacious back yard to luxuriating in the oversized tub, think about these scenarios and all the sensory details that can make them come alive.

3. Handle Potential Negatives with Care and Charm
   Modern buyers are savvy, and they quirk an eyebrow in disbelief when they hear a small home is "cozy." Be leery of using well-worn industry phrases, especially when you work in details that might not seem so positive. Near the railroad tracks? "Think of the hours you'll save on your commute with convenient access to public transportation." Always accentuate the positive, but be creative.

4. Make Creative Use of Maintenance and Remodeling
   A home's story is also expressed in the ways it has changed over time. Renovations don't need to have happened last week to be of interest to buyers. Do a deep dive on maintenance and remodeling records so you understand the home's unique "fingerprint." For many buyers, a home that has been lovingly maintained carries with it more history and thus, more emotional resonance.

5. Remember that Writing is Rewriting
   Adding pizzazz to your listings and other marketing materials will surely take time. However, the effort you invest is worth it. Once you start thinking in terms of stories, give yourself plenty of time to sit and let listings simmer. You may need to draft a listing two or three times to find the right tone and use your research in effective ways. Before you know it, though, it will become second nature.

In the end, learning to tell good real estate stories is another way of connecting with that all-important audience — your future buyers — and anticipating their needs. It's a great way to refresh your thinking and find ways to add value. Contact BHHS Homesale Realty to learn more or join us.