We Tried to Sell Our Home by Owner

Sometimes homes that look older on the outside look new on the inside thanks to remodeling. However, the older exterior -- even if it's in fantastic shape -- may make prospective buyers think that the house hasn't been updated. One of the best ways to dispel that notion with a minimum of disruption in your life is to make a video of the interior of the home plus anything on the exterior that's been redone. When you do make the video, ensure it contains footage of literally everything.

Wiring and Plumbing

The video should show the state of the wiring and plumbing. No, you don't have to open up the wall and show the pipes; just get shots of the outlets to show there's a ground wire, the circuit breaker panel to show how much electricity the home gets, and sink and tub fixtures to show you aren't using corroded faucets.

Drone Footage of Roof and Clearance

Ask your real estate agent to arrange to shoot some drone footage (the agent may have a drone, or the video company you use may have one) of the roof and yard space. Show that trees aren't hanging over the roof and that the roof itself is in good shape. This will show viewers how much space there is between homes and whether the yard is a good size, something that is often lacking with newer homes.

Clean and Uncluttered

One very important note is that the interior of the home needs to be clean and uncluttered. Stage it, so viewers get a sense of how furniture would fit in the home, but remove papers, knickknacks, and so on. If you haven't moved your own furniture out yet, toss what you can into a temporary storage unit.

All Rooms and 360-Degree Views

The video should show each and every room with a 360-degree view. All you have to do to accomplish this is hold the camera and turn around in a circle, though of course it will look better if you have a professional videographer making the video. The view ensures the viewer sees everything, and it also shows that you're not trying to hide anything in the home.

Both your real estate agent and a videographer can make this video; talk to your agent about the best way to approach it. Once the video is online, you and the agent can direct viewers to the link so that they can see how the home truly looks, rather than making assumptions.