Floor Plans for Marketing older Properties

93% of buyers say that they are more likely to spend time looking at a property with a floor plan. (1)

81% of sellers think a floor plan will help sell their home faster. (2)

A display home is used to show potential buyers around to get a sense of space and layout. But when a new house hasn’t been built yet, floor plans are a critical tool for influencing buyers. Floor plans should be available anywhere you are advertising the property, especially online. They are an essential real estate marketing tool, simplifying the property’s attributes and giving the buyer a sense of space which photos cannot communicate. A clean, professional floor plan should be printed and given away to visitors at inspections, so that prospective buyers have something to take away that conveys the property’s key selling points simply.

When selling older houses, you may not have access to the original floor plan, so a new one should be created. Without a floor plan, there is a greater risk that online viewers will ignore a property altogether.

Why buyers like floor plans

• A floor plan is a great real estate marketing tool to help buyers get a greater idea of the space.
• If a buyer is visiting several properties in a day, they may forget which property is which.
• A floor plan can help buyers visualise how they may position their existing furniture.
• A floor plan can help buyers measure up new furniture they want to purchase for the property.
• If a buyer has floor plans for several properties, it can make for easy comparison between them.
• Buyers can get a good idea of kitchen and bathroom layouts, as well as storage solutions such as walk in wardrobes and pantries.

Why Real Estate Agents should use Floor Plans

• As a real estate agent, you should ensure all properties you are selling include a floor plan. This may involve hiring someone to draw one up.
• Properties with floor plans stand out among those that don’t.
• You can enhance your branding by including your agency’s details on the floor plan.
• Allows you to draw attention to key features and room sizes.

Have you been using floor plans as a real estate marketing tool?

photo credit: Floorplan via photopin (license)

(1) C.A.R Home Buyers Survey, 2009
(2) Moving Homes, 2010