What are the buyers looking for in the next property you're going to sell?

To successfully sell your property at a good price and without unnecessary delays, you don’t need a university degree—but you *do* need to equip yourself with key insights about your potential buyers and make sure you’re meeting their needs and expectations.

That’s exactly what this guide is here to help with: understanding what buyers are looking for in your property, how to increase the chances of selling it, and how to boost the price you can get for it.

Getting Into the Mind of Your Potential Buyers

In order to maximize your chances of selling your property at the best possible price, it’s important to shift your focus—if only for a moment—from your own interests as the seller and put yourself in the buyers’ shoes.

After all, the more your property listing highlights the features that are truly relevant to potential buyers’ needs, and the more visibility it gets in the right places, the smoother and quicker the selling process will be.

Of course, it’s equally important to avoid common mistakes—such as misleading or unprofessional advertising, or other actions that might turn off serious buyers.

Let’s walk through this together, step by step, to understand what today’s buyers find attractive, what might push them away, and how to find the right path toward a successful and timely sale.

Where Are Your Potential Buyers Looking for a Home?

Buyers today search for properties both on the street and online, and it’s essential to combine these two arenas effectively so they work in synergy.

Offline marketing includes placing “For Sale” signs near the property and in strategic locations where buyers actively look for homes near their current place of residence.

For example, if your target audience is traditional or religious, it may be worthwhile to place signs at the entrance of the local synagogue or mikveh, as well as in nearby grocery stores, local shopping centers, and neighboring buildings.

Advertising in local newspapers that are easy to read and widely circulated in the area can also yield strong results—often more so than large national papers that overwhelm readers with too much information.

Advertising a Property for Sale on the Internet

In addition to traditional advertising methods, it’s clear that nowadays, having a strong online presence is essential. Without it, you risk missing out on valuable sales opportunities.

It’s important to list your property on the major real estate websites—make sure to research which platforms are considered the most popular and focus your efforts there.

When advertising on listing sites, it’s recommended to describe the property both by its location—for buyers searching in a specific neighborhood—and by its key features.

Keep in mind: while some buyers are focused on finding a home in a particular area, others care more about the type of property, number of rooms, and unique characteristics.

Another important option is running paid ads on Google and Facebook. These platforms allow you to reach potential buyers who haven’t yet fully begun their search—helping to speed up the selling process.

How to Write a Winning Property Listing

First of all, it’s important to do some preliminary research by checking listings of properties with similar prices or in neighborhoods close to yours—this will help you get a feel for the current market.

It’s also recommended to highlight the main advantages of your property with a marketing tone, for example: “Very quiet apartment,” “Home with breathtaking views,” “Apartment in excellent condition after a full renovation,” and so on.

**Another important point:** It’s essential to write the listing in an inclusive way so that all readers feel comfortable responding, regardless of race, religion, or gender.

At the same time, if there are specific requirements for buyers, it’s best to mention them as openly as possible to avoid wasting time on unnecessary inquiries without discouraging potential buyers.

For example, instead of writing “Apartment for religious buyers only,” it’s better to say “Apartment mainly suitable for the religious community.”

Still unsure about how to phrase it? Don’t hesitate to browse websites and profiles of real estate agencies to get inspired by successful listing descriptions that sell.

Taking Flattering Photos

A single good photo can sell your property much faster and more effectively than a thousand words!

A good photo highlights the property’s advantages and showcases them prominently in the center of the frame.

Also, don’t forget to spend a few minutes before shooting tidying up the space and rooms, dusting if necessary, and beautifying the apartment—so it looks its best.

It’s worth mentioning that making the beds with clean or new linens, hanging soft and aesthetically pleasing towels in the bathroom, and arranging the dining table all significantly contribute to a more stylish and inviting appearance.

Finally, remember to take photos during daylight hours so they are clear and bright. A well-lit apartment always looks bigger and more appealing.

Enhance Your Online Listings with a Video

Beyond the listing itself and flattering photos of the property, it is especially important—now more than ever during the COVID-19 period—to include a high-quality video. A good video is a key tool to increase the number of inquiries and speed up the selling process.

An ideal video lasts about one minute, so it’s not too long to cause viewers to lose interest halfway through.

During this time, it’s important to capture all the property’s key features in the most flattering way possible.

Here are some important tips for shooting an effective and compelling video:

* **Tidy up the space:** It goes without saying that you should clean and organize the apartment before filming, as a neat property always looks much more attractive.
* **Shoot the video in daylight:** Natural light flatters any living space and makes rooms look bigger and more appealing.
* **Put your phone in airplane mode:** This prevents unnecessary interruptions during filming.
* **Highlight the advantages:** Whether it’s a well-maintained yard, a stunning balcony, or a window with a unique view—emphasize every small or large feature that makes your property more attractive to buyers.
* **Add a voiceover:** Your narration should clearly explain what viewers are seeing in the video. It’s a good idea to write your script in advance so you can speak smoothly and confidently without hesitation.

What Will Your Buyers Focus On?

Buyers who visit the property and look at it through the eyes of a purchaser may search for defects and check the condition of the windows and shutters, faucets and plumbing, outlets and walls, sealing, and more.

Even cabinets can be scrutinized by potential buyers!

There are issues that are very easy to address before buyers come to view the apartment, such as cleaning the kitchen cabinets, removing mold stains from the walls, and fixing an outlet that has come loose from the wall.

If there are defects that require professional repair, it’s worth seriously considering making the investment, since sometimes even a small flaw can prevent potential buyers from going through with the deal.

Another detail that not everyone focuses on—but can definitely impact visitors—is the legal documentation related to the property.

Since you’ll need to handle this during the sale process anyway, it’s advisable to obtain an updated land registry extract (tabu) and prepare all necessary paperwork in advance. This will leave a positive impression on interested buyers if they ask to see the documents.

What Do Your Buyers Want to See?

Good location, nearby parking, and a spacious built-up area are always top priorities for buyers—but these are factors you don’t always have control over.

Beyond that, there are additional elements that are popular among buyers and that you can add to your property to improve its chances of selling quickly and at a great price:

* **Air conditioning:** There is a consensus in the market that air-conditioned apartments are more attractive than those without, and since the cost is not very high, it’s recommended to invest in an air conditioner if needed.
* **Flooring:** Laminate or real wood flooring is considered a feature that significantly increases the property’s value and appeal, so if you don’t have it, consider adding it at least in the bedrooms.
* **Well-maintained garden:** A neat garden greatly influences the atmosphere of the property and the positive impression on visitors. If the yard is neglected, it’s definitely worth planting some flowering plants or decorating it with suitable pots.
* **Separate laundry room:** If you can create a separation between the bathroom and laundry area, know that this is a popular feature that increases visitor satisfaction and may speed up the sale.
* **Ceiling fan:** This item is relatively inexpensive to install and is highly sought after by apartment hunters.
* **Outdoor lighting:** Lighting on the exterior walls and garden paths increases your property’s value and creates a much more attractive appearance.
* **Pantry or storage room:** Since a pantry is a highly desired feature, if you have a small unused room near the kitchen, now is the time to designate it as a pantry and organize it accordingly. Alternatively, you can purchase a pantry cabinet and place it in or near the kitchen.

### Large and Convenient Kitchen

Usually, the kitchen’s location and size are fixed features of your property, and you can’t easily change them.

However, with a few simple upgrades, you can significantly enhance the kitchen and make it a comfortable and central space in the property. For example, a large and impressive island in the middle of the kitchen makes it more functional by adding extra workspace, and it also adds a touch of luxury.

You can update the kitchen design by replacing certain elements. These changes will catch buyers’ attention and could even tip the scales in favor of your property.

This way, you can turn the kitchen from a disadvantage into a major selling point—with relatively low investment on your part.

For example, [pull-out faucets](https://www.hansgrohe.co.il/%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%96%d7%99-%d7%9e%d7%98%d7%91%d7%97/%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%96-%d7%9e%d7%98%d7%91%d7%97-%d7%a0%d7%a9%d7%9c%d7%a3/) make dishwashing and cleaning easier; luxury faucets in trendy gold or bronze finishes are very popular on the market. You can even get faucets mostly concealed within the wall with a minimalist design, giving the kitchen a sleek and unique look.

Additionally, a trendy, high-quality sink can attract buyers’ attention. You don’t have to settle for the standard rectangular white sink found in most homes. Stainless steel or granite sinks with elegant designs can be a significant upgrade, especially since you can choose sinks in different colors or shapes—such as a more rounded sink that complements the overall kitchen design. The sink’s resistance to stains and scratches is another major advantage that adds value.

A garbage disposal unit is another upgrade that can be highly appreciated by buyers. It improves residents’ quality of life and offers significant benefits to potential buyers.

These updates—both in the modern and stylish appearance of the kitchen and the improved functionality of new fixtures—will boost your chances of selling the property successfully and faster. After all, the kitchen is the “beating heart” of the home, and most buyers place great importance on it.

What do buyers not want to see?

Hiding the property’s flaws is just as important as highlighting its advantages and attractive features for potential buyers.

Therefore, alongside the aspects that make the apartment more desirable, it’s also important to be aware of things that no potential buyer would want to see:

* **Clutter and dirt:** No one likes to see a messy apartment, and potential buyers’ chances of having a positive impression decrease if the property is neglected or dirty.
* **Dusty curtains:** Curtains full of dust reduce the amount of light and fresh air entering the space and spoil the atmosphere — so if you have them, it’s better to remove or clean them before showing the apartment.
* **Unpleasant odors:** Make sure to open windows, remove cigarette residue and pet hair ahead of time to freshen the air before potential buyers visit.
* **Pets:** Even if you love your dog or cat, some visitors may not like them, so it’s best to keep pets away during showings.
* **Insects and pests:** They are considered a nuisance, cause anxiety for some visitors, and ruin the experience of viewing your property — so pest control is highly recommended!
* **Unusual wall colors and coverings:** While you might love a bold mustard shade, bright green, or an unusual wallpaper, potential buyers usually prefer neutral, plastered walls.

Construction defects that may lower the property’s price

Signs of moisture or cracks on walls, cracked or uneven floors, and unpleasant odors in bathrooms are common examples of construction defects that can lower the property’s value and make it harder to sell.

Construction defects that affect the safety of the home, such as missing railings where needed, naturally influence potential buyers’ decisions as well.

Even the proper functioning of window and door locks, as well as the shutters installed on them, greatly impacts buyers’ decisions, so it’s advisable to address any defects in advance.

Remember: repairing construction defects may cost you less than the reduction in property value that could result from them!

Therefore, in any case of doubt, it is recommended to use second-hand home inspection services and invest in fixing the relevant defects.

What Not to Do and Which Mistakes to Avoid?

One common mistake many people make is putting a property up for sale when the owner is not fully certain that they actually want to sell it.

This situation can lead to the property staying on the market for too long, causing potential buyers to lose interest and the number of offers to dwindle, which can negatively affect the market value of the property.

It is also recommended to avoid listing the property at a price significantly higher than its true value, in order to prevent deterring serious buyers.

It is important not to publish misleading details and to provide an accurate and honest description of the property to convey professionalism to interested buyers who come to view it.

On the other hand, it is definitely advisable to highlight the advantages of the property in a marketing tone right from the first conversation with a potential buyer.

In conclusion, now that you are armed with this knowledge, it will be easier for you to prepare the property for sale independently without confusion—assuming, of course, you have all the time in the world to dedicate to this process and are willing to compromise on the professional standard of a real estate agency with the necessary experience.

In many cases, the process of selling a property is complex and includes additional issues that cannot be covered in a single guide. Therefore, the recommendation is to contact a professional [real estate agency](https://www.myplace.co.il/) with experience who will handle all the details and help you get the best price for your property.