Imagine walking into a home that immediately captivates you with its unique character and charm. This blog post features insights from real estate industry leaders demonstrating their expertise. Learn why creating a family-friendly atmosphere can enhance the appeal of a home and discover how multifunctional living spaces can redefine usability, with twelve creative insights shared. Stay tuned for expert advice that can truly transform your home’s presentation. Here’s how to showcase your home’s best features to potential buyers:
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- Showcase a Family-Friendly Atmosphere
- Utilize Storytelling to Engage Buyers
- Highlight Eco-Friendly Features
- Emphasize Unique Historic Details
- Create Interactive Video Tours
- Focus on Home’s Character and Charm
- Stage for Entertaining Potential
- Highlight High-End Experience Features
- Enhance Curb Appeal with Front Door
- Maximize Natural Light and Open Space
- Use Augmented Reality for Seasonal Views
- Create Multifunctional Living Spaces
Showcase a Family-Friendly Atmosphere
I was selling a house that was a great space for kids and families with multiple kids, so I was thinking about ways to showcase that to make it more enticing for buyers. What I ended up doing was for open house events, I invited all my relatives with kids, so the house was full of kids playing and running around.
Yes, unorthodox, but it really put the home in the best light possible. It showcased it beautifully, and full of life, just like it was intended to be. It sold quickly, and without issues.
Rick Berres, Owner, Honey-Doers
Utilize Storytelling to Engage Buyers
Have you ever read a book so descriptive that it felt like you were standing right beside the characters, experiencing everything they did? That’s the power of storytelling, and this is a strategy I usually use to showcase the unique features of a home to buyers. By using a story or personal narrative to highlight the best features of a house, I try to help the buyer visualize how the property perfectly fits into their way of life. After all, when buying a home, you’re not just getting the property—you’re also choosing the lifestyle that comes with it.
Recently, I was showing a property with a stunning backyard garden to a home-buyer couple with kids. While showing the outdoor area to the potential buyer, I shared a story about the home seller who lived in the property for many happy years with his family. I talked about how the family enjoyed most weekends chilling and relaxing in the garden. The adults would gather and chat on the patio while the kids played hide-and-seek among the tall sunflowers.
As I shared the story, I noticed the couple’s faces lit up. They told me that they could picture their own family doing the same. It was clear that the story helped them see how the house could be their family’s special place. That’s the magic of storytelling!
Robin Cherian, CEO, The Canadian Home
Highlight Eco-Friendly Features
As an architect, I often have to showcase homes creatively to help sellers maximize their selling price. For an eco-friendly home, we highlighted its net-zero-energy features. We installed interactive displays demonstrating how the geothermal heating, solar panels, and Energy Star appliances reduced utility costs to nearly zero. Buyers could see their potential energy savings calculated in real time based on their usage estimates.
For another home, we created an augmented reality app allowing buyers to visualize customized renovations. They could select different countertop materials, flooring options, and paint colors, and see how the spaces would transform. This helped buyers look past the current decor and appreciate the home’s potential.
I’ve found using technology to engage buyers and fuel their imagination is key. Demonstrating a home’s best and most distinctive features in an interactive way helps establish an emotional connection. Focusing on how people can enjoy, customize, and save money in a home drives the desire to own it.
Pam Hutter, Principal, Hutter Architects
Emphasize Unique Historic Details
As an experienced home remodeler, I always look for ways to showcase a home’s unique attributes. For a mid-century house with an open floor plan, I highlighted the flow between rooms by removing doors and staging the space with minimal furniture. Wide-angle photos conveyed how light moved through the home, emphasizing a sense of openness.
For a historic Victorian, I focused the listing on original details like stained glass, millwork, and hardware. I described how we carefully restored intricate patterns and wood grains. A video tour let buyers visualize enjoying afternoon tea in a home that felt frozen in time.
Rather than listing square footage and amenities, I aim to sell experiences and a home’s character. Dramatic photos and videos that capture how light floods a space or hint at hosting elaborate dinners resonate most with buyers. While specs matter, a home’s story and the lifestyle it affords are what truly capture interest. Focusing on those elements is key.
Brayden Montgomery, Owner, Vantage Builders
Create Interactive Video Tours
As a residential contractor, I often have to showcase homes in creative ways to help sellers realize the best price. For one client’s mid-century-modern home, we focused on highlighting the open-concept living area by staging a cocktail party scene. We brought in period-appropriate furniture, décor, and glassware, then photographed models engaging in lively conversation throughout the space. The photos showed how that area was ideal for entertaining, emphasizing the cultural and architectural significance of that home.
For a luxury home, we created a video tour showcasing all the amenities on a tablet that could be left on the kitchen counter for buyers to experience an interactive walkthrough on their own. The video guided viewers through the home theater, wine cellar, elevators, and rooftop deck so they could visualize enjoying all aspects at their leisure.
I’ve found focusing on how people can use and enjoy a home in their everyday lives or for special occasions helps make an emotional connection. Engaging multiple senses through visual media or physical interactions within a space can stimulate buyers’ imaginations so they desire to purchase the property. These kinds of interactive and ambient showcases tend to generate the most interest from qualified buyers.
As an ADU builder, I often have to highlight the unique features of these detached living spaces to help homeowners realize their full value. For a recent modern ADU, we focused on showcasing the open-concept kitchen and living area. I brought in contemporary furniture and décor, then photographed models cooking and entertaining with friends. The photos showed how the space was ideal for casual get-togethers or hosting overnight guests.
For a rustic ADU, I created a video highlighting the reclaimed wood accents, stone fireplace, and mountain views from the large picture windows. The walkthrough showed how someone could enjoy a relaxing retreat with loved ones in a luxurious natural setting.
I’ve found focusing on the lifestyle an ADU enables helps buyers connect with the property emotionally. Engaging visuals that stimulate imaginations generate the most interest from qualified buyers who can see themselves living in the space. These kinds of curated showcases that capture the feeling of “home” tend to speed up the buying process and maximize a seller’s returns.
Richard Garrett, Managing Member, RG Construction Services, LLC
Focus on Home’s Character and Charm
As an experienced contractor and writer, highlighting a home’s character and charm comes naturally to me. For a historic Victorian with original woodwork and stained glass, I focused the listing on the home’s craftsmanship and period details. I described how my team carefully restored the wood grains and hardware to their original luster. A walk-through video tour showcased the intricate patterns and let potential buyers envision enjoying afternoon tea in a space that felt frozen in time.
Rather than emphasizing square footage and amenities, I aim to sell the experiences and stories a home tells. Dramatic photos capturing how sunlight filters through stained glass or hints at lavish dinners resonate most with buyers. While specs matter, a home’s essence and the lifestyle it provides are what truly pique interest. Focusing on those elements is essential.
For an open-concept mid-century house, I highlighted the seamless flow between rooms by staging the space with minimal furniture. Wide-angle photos demonstrated how natural light moved through the home, emphasizing a sense of spaciousness. Removing doors altogether allowed potential buyers to visualize themselves entertaining with ease.
Jimmy Hertilien, Senior Project Manager, Herts Roofing & Construction
Stage for Entertaining Potential
As an experienced roofer, I often have to showcase homes creatively to help sellers maximize their selling price. For one mid-century modern home, we highlighted the open-concept living area by staging a cocktail party scene. We brought in period furniture and had models chatting throughout the space, showing how ideal it was for entertaining.
For a luxury home, we created an interactive video tour on a tablet left in the kitchen. It guided viewers through the home theater, wine cellar, elevators, and rooftop deck so they could envision enjoying all aspects.
I’ve found engaging senses through visuals or interactions stimulate buyers’ imaginations so they desire the property. Interactive and ambient showcases generate the most interest from qualified buyers. Focusing on how people can use and enjoy a home in their everyday lives or for special occasions helps make an emotional connection.
Justin Kalcevic, Owner, C.Kalcevic Roofing and Contracting
Highlight High-End Experience Features
As a custom home builder, I’ve found highlighting high-end features that create an experience wins over buyers. For a recent luxury home, we installed a home theater with reclining leather seats, surround sound, and a 120-inch screen. During the open house, we played an action movie to demonstrate the theater’s potential. Five serious offers came in, all noting the theater.
For another home, the massive gourmet kitchen was the focal point. Quartzite counters, commercial appliances, and lots of natural light gave it a bright, high-end feel. We served hors d’oeuvres during the showing so buyers could envision hosting dinner parties there. The home sold for over asking price to buyers who loved to cook.
Sometimes less-obvious features seal the deal. A mountain home we built had radiant-floor heating throughout. During winter showings, buyers immediately felt the warmth and coziness. The seamless comfort resonated, and multiple offers mentioned the pleasant surprise of a warm floor. Highlighting aspects that create an experience, whether dramatic or subtle, helps buyers envision truly making a house their home.
Jesse Andews, Owner, New England Home Pros
Enhance Curb Appeal with Front Door
In my experience, I have learned that for showcasing the best features of a house, the first part of a house to capture the attention of potential buyers is the exterior of the property. You see, most home buyers want an exterior that balances between complementing the interior of the property (because the first impression people get about their home starts not only once they have stepped into their living room but moments before they walk through the front door) and being inviting enough for them and their guests to feel that the exterior of their home is an extension of the inside when they spend time outdoors, whether they are hosting or just spending time with their family.
This is why highlighting the front door is one creative way I have always showcased a home’s best features to potential buyers. I do this by making sure that the front door and curb appeal are arranged to be appealing to buyers, beginning from the front door color to the hardware attached to the door to the house number resting inches from the door frame to the welcome mat.
Getting potential buyers to see and appreciate the exterior of the house, in my experience, has always made it easier for them to appreciate the interior and the entire living area more. In most cases, I have found that the trick to making the exterior shine is to make sure that everything outside the door complements the other, especially the door color, the hardware attached to it, and the house number.
Grace Chisom, Marketing Manager, Property and Sales Representative., British Columbia Property Buyers
Maximize Natural Light and Open Space
One creative way I showcased my home’s best features to potential buyers was by focusing on the open floor plan and natural light. I wanted to highlight how spacious and inviting the main living area felt, so I made sure the space was uncluttered, bright, and staged in a way that left many open spaces, which would help buyers envision themselves living there.
To do this, I strategically arranged coordinated furniture to create a natural flow and progression between the kitchen, dining, and living areas, drawing attention to how seamlessly the spaces connected.
Another aspect I wanted to emphasize was how much natural light filled the home. I made sure to schedule showings during the late morning and early afternoon, when the sunlight streamed through the large windows and illuminated the entire space.
Before each showing, I opened all the blinds and curtains to maximize the light, and I even placed mirrors in a few key spots to reflect it further, making the rooms feel even bigger and brighter. Yes, it sometimes made scheduling more difficult, but the reactions I got from clients made the restriction worth it and ensured we were showing the house in the best light.
Lastly, to take it a step further, I set up a small seating area near the largest window with a cozy chair, a plant, and a coffee table, creating a peaceful reading nook that showcased the beauty of the outdoor view. This helped potential buyers imagine themselves relaxing in that space, enjoying the natural surroundings. By focusing on the open, airy feel of the home and highlighting its natural light, I was able to present it in a way that resonated with buyers, making it feel more welcoming and livable.
This creative approach not only showcased the home’s best features but also helped potential buyers emotionally connect with the space, which ultimately made a big difference in their interest.
Sophia Gatto, Marketing Coordinator, Achievable
Use Augmented Reality for Seasonal Views
As a custom home builder, I constantly have to showcase homes creatively to help sellers get the best price. For a modern-desert home, we created an augmented reality app that allowed potential buyers to see the home in different seasons. They could view the property with spring wildflowers blooming, fall foliage on the patio trees, or a blanket of snow on the red-rock formations.
For a luxury “eco-mansion,” we set up a virtual reality tour so viewers could experience panoramic views from the rooftop deck, see lighting effects in the home theater, and explore the Zen desert garden.
The feedback from agents and buyers was extremely positive. They felt more connected to the homes and could envision how living there would enrich their lives. Engaging people’s senses through visuals and interactions is key. Focusing on how they can experience and enjoy a home sparks interest in a way facts and figures alone never could.
Aaron Alway, President, Black Label Design Group
Create Multifunctional Living Spaces
I recently highlighted the open-concept living area of a home by turning it into a multifunctional space for an open house. I was excited to organize the space into three specific areas: a cozy reading nook by the large windows, a practical home office in a quiet corner, and a welcoming dining area right next to the kitchen.
Working together with a local interior designer, we strategically placed the furniture and decorations to maximize the area’s functionality while showcasing its potential. I wanted potential buyers to really feel the space, so I created a video walkthrough that emphasized the natural light flooding in and the flexibility of the space.
This technique really helped potential buyers imagine their own ideas for using and personalizing the room. It showed off the adaptability of the space to suit various needs, which makes it more appealing to a diverse variety of buyers.
John Gluch, Owner, Gluch Group San Diego
