Too many sellers think that simply hiring a good realtor will do the trick. Just pay him/her their commission and the house will get sold lickety-split while you go about your daily routines. That’s like a business owner who thinks hiring a marketing company will get their product sold. It doesn’t work that way. As the homeowner, you play a critical role in determining how fast your home gets sold. The real estate agent you’ve hired can only work with what you give him/her. That means you’ve got to be an active participant in your home’s marketing efforts if you want it to sell quickly. 

Here are four easy things you can do as a seller to attract more buyers and get that sign changed in your front yard:

1. Hold your agent accountable

Before you sign with a real estate agent, find out what their marketing plans are for your home. They should have a strategic method from start to finish. Take a look at some of their other listings. Do the photos look professional? Look at their own website. Do they have one? Does it reflect an agent who gets things done in a professional manner? How long have they been a realtor? Just because your wife’s cousin’s friend is a real estate agent isn’t a reason to hire him. Selling your home will be one of the most significant business transactions you’ll ever make. Hire someone who knows what they’re doing and do your part by holding them accountable for getting the job done.

2. Do some marketing of your own

If you’ve hired a good agent, he/she will have a professional network set up to market your home. That doesn’t mean you can’t use your own network, though. Are you on Facebook, X, or Instagram? Let your online community know that your home is on the market and encourage them to spread the word!

Take some unique pictures of your own to complement what your realtor is doing and share these on social media. You are allowed to say things about your home and neighborhood that your realtor can’t due to marketing restrictions. But if you’ve got a phone with video capabilities, set up a self-guided tour of your home and neighborhood. Take potential buyers on a personalized trip, highlighting all the things you love.

Take a walk through the neighborhood and show off the trees, the walking paths, community pool, or other amenities your neighborhood has to offer. And don’t forget your potential buyer might even be someone who doesn’t even live in your town. Post another video that highlights some of the community hotspots within easy driving distance. Are there nice parks for kids to play in? Bike paths or other outdoor recreation facilities? Is there a town square or other community gathering place? These are all things that attract buyers. Your social media can get the word out to an audience that your realtor won’t otherwise directly reach. You’d be surprised how many people, who are not even thinking about buying a house, decide to buy when they see their perfect home, and fall in love.