Floor plans are loved by buyers and they help listings stand out. They can help generate a higher number of enquiries and convert them into viewings. They also help sell properties faster. Still, a lot of real estate agents don’t think that floor plans are necessary. Why?
According to a recent study of property sellers, 80 per cent of them said that floor plans are either very useful or essential when selling. A whopping 88 per cent agreed that floor plans, such as those offered by Fourwalls, are important when it comes to buying a property.
The reality is that floor plans are technically not required when selling a property, but neither too are property descriptions or photos. How many listings do you actually see without those? Floor plans are not only attention grabbing but also help simplify the buyer’s decision making. Simply put, floor plans are just as important as high-quality photos, and here are three reasons why this is the case:
1. Floor Plans Help Buyers Visualise Properties Better Than Photos Alone
According to research provided by Rightmove, over one third of buyers are less likely to enquire about a property if a floor plan is not provided. 1 in 5 will actually ignore the property listing completely.
Floor plans help show potential buyers details that can be difficult to get across using just descriptions and photos, such as measurements, windows, and storage space. They are also better when it comes to displaying unique selling features such as extensions and knock-throughs.
High-quality photos of the property are critical in showcasing it in the best light. Wide angle shots tend to score well with buyers, but some people feel that they can be misleading at times when it comes to portraying the space in an accurate way.
You probably know of viewings where the buyers ended up disappointed since the property was not as they had thought from the photos. With floor plans, it is possible to avoid that by giving tenants and buyers a better view of the whole property before ever stepping through the door.
Floor plans can also be used by house hunters alongside the photos to better understand the space and layout of the property. They show how rooms connect with each other as well as how space flows throughout the property. That, in turn means that there won’t be any nasty surprises when they come to view the property.
When it comes to successful viewings and photos, real estate agents are usually at the mercy of people that currently occupy the property. Cluttered and untidy rooms tend to appear smaller than they actually are. A clean floor plan helps show the actual size and potential of each room.
The survey by Rightmove suggests that buyers want floorplans that show the layout of rooms as well as how rooms fit in relation to the rest of the property. Still, what buyers rate more important in floor plans is the dimensions of rooms.
Floor plans that show door and window placements as well as room measurements allow potential buyers to picture where their furniture will go, and how they would use the space. They might even think about decorating or even what changes they would make to the building to better suit their needs.
Once potential buyers start to mentally plan the move, an emotional attachment as well as a decision to buy is never too far off.
2. Floor Plans Make Properties Memorable Later
Helping potential buyers to picture the potential of a property before and during a viewing is one thing, but what about once they have gone home? You might be getting amazing signals during the viewing, but once you follow it up with a call and they ask, “which property was that?” it is usually not a good sign.
Keep in mind that house hunters look at multiple properties at once and the features of different houses can easily get mixed up when they are seeing several properties each day. Including a floor plan in listings and materials helps it stick in their minds.
A visual of the layout as well as all its nuances can make the property that you are selling easier to remember.
3. A Professional Floor Plan Will Make You Look More Professional
If your competitors use floor plans, you also need to do the same. However, if it is not something they are already doing, floor plans can give you a significant market advantage.
A clear, properly-designed floor plan can help put your listing on the top of the pile as a professional listing by a professional business. It helps add to the quality of your brand and shows the property sellers that may be looking for an estate agent that you are ready to invest in your business to keep up with the current property trends.
