Home sellers have never had so many marketing levers to pull.

Daffodils are blooming, listings are on the rise, and more buyers are motivated.
But spring 2025 isn’t the seasonal beast it used to be.

Property listings have jumped 9% compared with last year. There’s more to choose from and, it seems, some resistance to dealmaking: sales across the country stalled in August, with a decline both year on year and month on month. National sales dropped by 3.7% from the previous year to 5,866 sales, and month-on-month sales decreased by 11.1%.

Potential buyers are spoilt for choice, which means sellers must work harder to get noticed.

Here’s what you can do to make your home stand out this spring:

  • High-quality photos increase engagement on listings. There are no local figures to back this claim, but research from the US-based National Association of Realtors and Zillow recorded a 61% lift in online views. Hire a professional photographer.

  • Virtual staging lets buyers tap a button to see rooms staged in different styles – modern, industrial, mid-century, luxury, and so forth. Rather than spend thousands staging your living room in generic beige, virtual staging can show the same space in multiple design styles. Buyers can literally swipe between a minimalist Scandi vibe and a cozy homestead feel. Local companies like TopVIEW are even offering comprehensive 3D virtual staging that rivals actual physical staging.

  • 360° virtual tours now offer virtual staging where you can toggle between empty and fully staged views. It’s like having a magic wand for property viewing.

  • Smart home showcases: Live demonstrations of smart home technology highlight key features and appeal to modern buyers. Don’t just mention the automated blinds – show them in action during the open home.

  • Don’t neglect seasonality. Emphasise features that are particularly appealing during spring, including gardens, outdoor living spaces, and large windows that let in natural light.

Think video

  • Property video tours convert better than static listings, with drone footage showcasing the neighbourhood and surrounding lifestyle.

  • Behind-the-scenes content sharing can work wonders. Consider capturing elements of your property makeover in 60-second videos and sharing them on TikTok. The app’s short-video format is perfect for engaging property tours or highlighting your home’s best features with creative edits. The interactive nature of TikTok allows sellers to connect with a large and engaged user base, turning viewers into qualified leads through comments, questions, and direct engagement.

Paid advertising

Think beyond mandatory placements on Trade Me, realestate.co.nz, and homes.co.nz.

  • Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can be used for posts, targeted ads, and videos to reach a broad audience.

  • Strategic paid advertising using Google search ads will capture leads for specific searches, such as “homes for sale in Parnell.”

  • Facebook and Instagram retargeting will show ads to people who’ve already viewed your listings.

Multi-sensory experiences

  • Use fresh flowers and subtle scenting (vanilla and citrus work universally).

  • Background music (classical or acoustic, volume barely audible) helps with scene setting.

  • Temperature control should be slightly cool so viewers feel refreshed, not stuffy.

  • Look for subtle touches to alter the mood – try staging the deck with outdoor furniture and fairy lights, add herbs in the kitchen window, and use battery-powered candles in the bathrooms.

Don’t neglect the basics

Before you get carried away with AI staging and drone footage, remember that buyers form an opinion within the first few seconds of seeing your property.

Here’s your essential checklist:

EXTERIOR

  • Smarten up the letterbox: If it’s wonky, rusty, or covered in spider webs, fix it. It’s the first thing buyers see.

  • Eliminate moss and mould from paths and driveways using a water blaster or moss and mould remover.

  • Keep lawns mown and trim unruly vegetation: overgrown gardens scream “maintenance nightmare.”

  • Polish – and perhaps paint – the front door and entryway: a fresh coat of paint costs $200 but adds perceived value of thousands.

INTERIOR

  • Declutter cupboards and shelves: buyers will open them, and clutter suggests inadequate storage.

  • Deep clean everything: pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchen appliances, and windows.

  • Fix the little things: squeaky hinges, dripping taps, loose handles – buyers notice everything.

  • Neutralise odours: pet smells, cooking odours, and mustiness are deal-killers.

SPRING BASICS

  • Refresh windowsills and frames: winter grime accumulates here.

  • Clean gutters and downpipes: spring buyers are thinking about future weather.

  • Service heat pumps and air conditioning: demonstrate they’re ready for the changing seasons.

  • Refresh garden beds: add seasonal colour with inexpensive flowering plants.

Successful home sellers understand that selling a house isn’t just about square metres and sale prices – it’s about selling a lifestyle, a dream, and a future. The technology is there, the avenues to get attention have never been so accessible, and buyers are ready for experiences that go beyond traditional open homes.

This spring, don’t just list your property – launch it like the premium product it deserves to be.

Looking to sell? Call 0800 GOODWINS for a no-obligation property appraisal and sale strategy.

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