Just recently I blogged about my house hunting adventure. While my husband and I found our perfect home, I’ll admit that I still peruse the MLS from time-to-time. A few days ago, I came across a charming rancher with an abundance of curb appeal. However, I realized that the listing only included shots of the exterior, and this wasn’t the first time that I’ve encountered this.

Don’t get me wrong, I can find multiple ads that withhold pertinent information, it’s an age-old sales tactic. But here’s my question, is this approach beneficial in real estate marketing?

There is no time for a guessing game.
Let’s face it: buying a home is a huge decision. If you’re searching in a desirable area with a competitive market, there’s no time like the present. We lost out on a few homes for the sole reason that we didn’t act quick enough. As a buyer, it’s a fast-moving game.

A listing ad is the first opportunity you have to wow the buyers. If you don’t put enough time or effort into the photos, buyers are going to move on, and rightfully so. There’s not many people who have the time (or patience) to ponder if the house could possibly have potential or not.

There is a reason that things are hidden.
Maybe this is my pessimism, but when it comes to a listing, I don’t believe that there’s more than meets the eye. A listing ad should feature the good and the bad, even if the bad is really bad.

While the exterior is important, the big-ticket items like the kitchen and bathrooms should be shown. The buyer should know what areas will need work, especially before they choose to see the home in person.

There is always another way to appeal to potential buyers.
If your listing is lacking in aesthetics, it’s not the end of the world. There’s a plethora of buyers who are on the hunt for a fixer-upper—you just have to find them. Instead of taking the no photo route, consider including all shots AND an honest description. Don’t be afraid to let it be known that the house is in need of some TLC.

Staging can also play a large role. A few houses caught my eye that otherwise wouldn’t have, if it weren’t for the appeal of the interior. It’s a known fact that staging can increase foot traffic, and lead to less time spent on the market—so get creative!

At the end of the day, the buyer has the last say. But when it comes to listing ads, maybe honesty is in fact the best policy.