What Online Dating Can Teach You about Selling Your Home

What do Tinder and Bumble have in common with Rightmove and Zoopla? If your answer is not a lot, then think again.

The digital dating and property worlds are not as different as you might think.

In fact, there are many similarities.

Let us explain why.

Users of the online dating app Tinder don’t mess around. On average, they spend less than seven seconds looking at a profile before deciding whether to swipe right.

Property sellers, too, have a few seconds to make a good first impression – or bored buyers will keep scrolling.

The critical ingredient is imagery. Most people think carefully about the photographs they use on their dating profiles for good reason. They want to show the best version of themselves to the world.

But when selling their home, many will settle for dingy, sub-standard snaps of rooms drowning in clutter and laundry.

Poor photographs put people off; good ones generate curiosity.

When writing a dating bio, most people visualise who they’re trying to attract and curate their content accordingly.

Looking for an outdoorsy type? A hiking selfie conveys the message. Eager to find an artistic soulmate? Make mention of your pottery hobby.

Similarly, with property marketing, it pays to know your target audience. Whether it’s families, downsizers or young professionals, tailor your marketing strategy to reach your desired demographic.

Many people tell little white lies on dating apps. They add a few inches to their height, shave a few pounds off their weight or big up their sporting interests.

But the thing is, the truth always comes out in the end. Claim to be a six-foot bodybuilder when you’re a weedy five-foot-six-inch stamp collector, and you’ll get rumbled on your first date.

The same applies to property marketing. While it’s fine to talk up your home’s best features, misleading sellers is a big no-no.

It’s illegal, for starters, and it wastes time. The buyer will figure out the truth when they view your property or get it surveyed, so stick to the facts.