How to Target Out of State Buyers When Selling a Florida Home?

In a time when economies aren’t exactly what you’d call prospering, and wages are as steady as a rock, people are looking for alternatives. It just isn’t practical anymore to make do with what money you get at the end of a month’s work, because that means that in the long run your financial security will most likely be compromised. This is why people are looking for investments to feel better about their finances, and when it comes to that, the real estate market is your best option. It’s safe, reliable, and quite profitable if you play your cards right. Florida state is one of the hottest real estate zones in the country, and buying/selling property there can be quite a good business. Still, it’s not as easy as it seems, because you might have a hard time finding buyers for certain properties. So, you need to look for some in different states or even countries to get the job done. But how do you do that?

Know your audience

You can’t possibly hope to sell a house to out of state buyers if you don’t really know who they are and what they’re looking for. Americans tend to relocate a lot during their lifetime, and you have to act based on that fact. Are the buyers you’re targeting relocating from another state, say New York, for example? And if so, what would they be looking for in a home? Maybe your buyers won’t relocate just yet, but are looking to invest in a Florida home for some good money. In any case, it’s your job to know what they’re after in a home, and more importantly promote yourself wherever they are. A good tip for doing so is by partaking in trade shows where your target buyers are.

Internet strategy

There’s no way around it; the internet is your best friend when it comes to targeting an out of state buyer. You need to be able to develop a successful strategy to target your buyers out of state, which has never been easier since the internet came along. You need to make it lucrative to your target buyers to use Florida's MLS, which can be easily done. First, use the power of social media to your advantage. People use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for hours every day, and you should be able to reach them there. A whopping 92 percent of home buyers use the Internet at some point during their house hunt, according to the National Association of Realtors, so you can’t really make without it. 

People want to see pictures of the house on the internet before they’d even consider investing a dime in a home in a different state. That’s why some agents actually use professional photographers to take pictures of the house once it’s good to go. Make an offer to your out of state buyers that they can’t refuse; mention the pros of the area the home is in and the amenities nearby. Are there schools nearby? What about hospitals? Yes, pictures are important and the better the quality is, the more interested people will be, but people need to get the full picture before they even consider investing in a home.

Pricing is key

Internet marketing might be the most important gateway into your buyers’ hearts, but it’s the pricing that steals the show. You can’t afford to list an absurd price for your listing, because that definitely won’t end well and potential buyers will think you’re not serious. Yes, homes in Florida are not cheap, but that doesn’t mean they have to be ridiculously priced. Stats show that activity is focused on a listing within the first 30 days of posting in the market. So, if your house is priced way too high during that time, chances are it won’t get sold, and you’ll have missed on a great chance. Think about it; a buyer from out of state will definitely not waste time and money to come and view an overpriced house. So, even if it means cutting down on the price/commission you’re expecting, selling the place is always better than not.

Make the effort

Let’s face it, while the real estate market is doing quite well, it is also very competitive with a lot of players. If you want to sell homes, especially to out of state buyers, you have to go the extra mile and make the effort. Don’t even think about putting the place up for sale until it’s fully renovated. And invest in some professional photographers to make the house look as good as it can be. And always list fair pricing, because people don’t want to go over their budgets. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to target both local and out of state buyers.