If your home is on the market, hopefully you’re working with a real estate agent who is at the top of their marketing game and knows how to employ the latest and greatest strategies to get your home the widest, most creative exposure.
 
Then again, maybe you’re not.
 
Here are some ways you can take matters into your own hands or, better yet, work with your agent to put these marketing strategies into action:

• Stage your home. Home staging goes beyond cleaning and decluttering your home. Professional stagers, in effect, redecorate your home to put it in its best possible light and make it most appealing to the general masses—not just to your particular taste.
• Professional photography. Check out your listing photos online. If they’re not doing your home justice, it’s worth investing a nominal amount of money to have professional photos taken. According to the National Association of REALTORSⓇ, 95 percent of homebuyers search online first (and 99 percent of millennials!), so the photos of your home online are critical.
• Use video or virtual tours. While excellent photos are a must, a video is a huge differentiator. Your agent should be aware of several virtual tour programs that are available and, if not, use your smartphone to create a series of videos that showcase the highlights of your home. In today’s Snapchat/Instagram culture, self-made video isn’t only acceptable, it’s expected, so take advantage of social media to get the word out in a more personal and viral way.
• Have a neighborhood open house. Talk to your agent about the possibility of hosting an open house just for your neighborhood. Let’s face it, when your home goes on the market, everyone around you is curious, so invite them all in. Chances are, your neighbors may be some of the best networkers around and may know friends, family members, coworkers or acquaintances who are interested in buying in their area—so put your closest allies to work for you. 

Whatever the case, don’t stay on the sidelines. Be an active part of the marketing of your home and work closely with your real estate agent.