Personalizing the Home Buying Experience: 5 Tips for Realtors and Property Listings

Your clients have high expectations when shopping for their future home.

Buyers today are seeking more than just generic online listings and the standard in-person tour. They want personalized experiences that match their individual tastes and lifestyle.

In fact, 76% of consumers say personalization makes them more likely to make a purchase (McKinsey). Customizing the real estate experience based on your client’s unique preferences not only makes a home more appealing, but also builds trust.

To help you get started, we’ve put together five tips for realtors and property listing services to create a more personalized and engaging home buying experience.

1. Incorporate virtual staging for online listings

The benefits of staging a home are well-studied, with 86% of potential buyers finding it easier to visualize a property when it is staged (National Association of Realtors). However, it can be expensive and logistically challenging to physically stage homes - especially those that are empty.

Virtual staging is a powerful tool that allows realtors to showcase a property in its best light when listing it online. By digitally furnishing and decorating a space, you can highlight its potential and make it easier for buyers to see how their personal style could fit into the space.

The cost savings are great, too - virtual staging can reduce the cost of staging a home by up to 97% (Association of Realtors Research Group).

Photo: A bedroom virtually styled using Palazzo.

Tips for getting started with virtual staging:

• Use high-quality images: Ensure that the base images that you use for virtual staging are high quality. Professional photography combined with expert virtual staging will make the property look its absolute best.

• Keep it realistic: While virtual staging offers endless possibilities, it’s important to keep the images realistic. Overly perfect or extravagant designs can look artificial and may disappoint buyers when they see the actual property. Aim for designs that are attractive yet achievable.

2. Learn about your client and understand their personal style

Before you can truly personalize the home buying experience for your client, you have to understand their unique style and preferences.

One effective way to gather this information is through a style quiz, such as Palazzo’s Aesthetic DNA quiz. This quick and easy quiz helps uncover your client’s unique design style in real time.

By tailoring your approach based on the results, you can present properties in a way that aligns with each client’s unique style and preferences. Check out the tips below for a few examples.

Tips for using a client’s personal style in real estate:

• Offer design recommendations: Make suggestions on how clients can personalize the space to better suit their style. This might include ideas for furniture placement, color schemes, or decor choices. Providing a vision for the space can help clients see its potential and feel more confident in their decision.

• Customize each showing: When sharing listings or during property tours, draw attention to aspects of the home that align with the client’s preferences. For example, if the client enjoys outdoor living, make sure to showcase the garden or patio areas.

3. Use home visualization tools like Palazzo

Traditional photos and discussing upgrades can only convey so much about a property. Visualization tools like Palazzo help clients to see potential changes and design choices in a highly realistic manner.

During live consultations, realtors can use visualization tools to make on-the-spot changes based on client feedback. If your client can’t picture sleeping in a bedroom with white walls, swap them out for a soothing blue in real time.

Visualization tools also help when listing properties on virtual listing sites, when catching a buyer’s attention is critical. By providing redesigns of the property in a few popular interior design styles, you are more likely to meet the tastes of a wider range of clients.

Tips for using visualization tools during the home buying experience:

• Create personalized designs of key rooms: Use Palazzo to generate customized designs for key rooms of each property based on the client’s style preferences. If a client prefers a minimalist aesthetic, you can create clean, modern designs that highlight simplicity and functionality – no matter what the actual home looks like. This can help clients look beyond those dated kitchen cabinets and see the potential of the space.

• Showcase the versatility of the space: Demonstrate how different design choices can transform a space. For example, show how a dining room can be styled for both a formal dinner party and a casual family gathering. This versatility helps clients see the full potential of a property and how it will suit their daily needs.

Photo: A kitchen redesigned in Palazzo.

4. Customize the physical space during home tours

When planning a home tour, consider ways to personalize the physical space to resonate with the client. Personal touches can help clients envision themselves living in the home, creating an emotional connection that can be key in their decision-making process.

The statistics don’t lie on the importance of appealing to a client’s emotions: consumers are twice as likely to base their purchase decisions on emotional factors compared to rational ones, and advertising that generates strong emotions increases sales by 23% (Nielsen).

Small touches like setting the dining table, adding fresh flowers, or arranging a cozy reading nook can make a home feel more inviting. With the many options available on the market, a personalized tour can set a property apart.

Tips for customizing the physical space during a home tour:

• Bring in personal items: Encourage clients to bring some of their own personal items to the tour. This could include family photos, favorite books, or small decor pieces. Placing these items around the home can help clients visualize their belongings in the space and feel more at home.

• Set the scene: Create a welcoming atmosphere by setting up the home in a way that resonates with the client’s lifestyle. For example, if the client enjoys cooking, set the kitchen table with attractive place settings and display some fresh ingredients or a cookbook. If they have children, set up a play area in one of the rooms to show how the space can meet their family needs.

5. Offer personalized welcome packages

Creating a personalized welcome package for your buyers leaves a lasting impression. Think about what your clients would find useful as they are settling into their new home. A great starting point is local maps and restaurant recommendations.

Partner with local businesses to include vouchers or discount coupons for nearby services, such as dry cleaners, fitness centers, or beauty salons. Include information about upcoming community events, such as farmers’ markets, festivals, or local sports games.

A thoughtful welcome package not only demonstrates your attention to detail but also helps clients feel at home in their new neighborhood.

Tips for personalizing the move-in experience:

• Write a personal message: A handwritten note expressing your appreciation and offering your best wishes for your client’s new home adds a heartfelt touch. It shows that you’ve taken the time to prepare something special just for them.

• Think about your client’s lifestyle: Tailor the package to your client’s interests and lifestyle. For example, pet owners might appreciate information on nearby parks and pet-friendly cafes, while families might benefit from details on local schools, playgrounds, and family-friendly activities. Think about their hobbies for inspiration, like a booklet with local hiking trails for nature enthusiasts or a guide to the best coffee shops for coffee lovers.

Stand out in a competitive market with personal touches

Personalizing the real estate experience is not just about making a sale; it's about creating a memorable journey for your clients that makes them feel valued, understood, and supported. In a market where competition is fierce and buyers have many options, standing out through personalized service can make all the difference.

If you're interested in learning more about how you can personalize the real estate experience in partnership with Palazzo, check out our free guide.