7 Effective Real Estate Sales Strategies for 2025
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Wondering how to effectively sell an apartment or house? In this comprehensive article, we will show you 7 proven real estate sales strategies that can help you increase the apartment's price by up to 17% and reduce the waiting time for a buyer by half. On Globihome's blog, we share practical strategies used by real estate agents from various countries we cooperate with.
Successful real estate sales in 2025 require a comprehensive approach, combining traditional methods with modern technological solutions. Whether you are a real estate agent or an investor, the following tips will provide you with concrete strategies on how to sell an apartment quickly and for a good price.
Strategy #1: Home Staging - increase the property's value by 17%
Home staging is not just a trendy buzzword; it's the foundation of a successful home sale. According to data published by the Polish Real Estate Federation in 2024, professionally prepared properties sell on average:
- 73% faster than unprepared apartments
- for a price up to 17% higher than the initial expectations
Key elements of effective home staging:
- Depersonalization of space - removing personal items, photos, and souvenirs
- Thorough cleaning and minor repairs - fixing all defects that might deter buyers
- Neutral wall colors - refreshing walls in neutral, light colors
- Space optimization - strategic placement of furniture for a better impression of spaciousness
- Proper lighting - highlighting the property's assets and creating a cozy atmosphere
Case study: A 68m² apartment of a real estate agent we work with in Tenerife sold in 18 days for €15,500 more than an identical apartment in the same block that wasn't prepared for sale.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and a well-prepared property largely sells itself. How to prepare an apartment for sale? Use the above tips or hire a professional - the return on this investment is almost guaranteed.
Strategy #2: Professional photo session and 3D virtual tours of the property
In the age of the internet, a professional photo session is an absolute necessity. According to reports from real estate websites, listings with professional photos receive on average 61% more views than those with amateur photos.
What should be included in professional photographic documentation:
- Photos of all rooms - taken from different perspectives, emphasizing spaciousness
- Photographs in natural light - preferably on a sunny day, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- Shots showing the flow of space - how rooms connect with each other
- Photos of the surroundings and infrastructure - park, transportation, shops, schools
- 3D virtual tour and interactive 360° layouts - a standard in 2025, increasing viewer engagement by 87%
How to prepare an apartment for a photo session?
Professional photographs can increase the number of potential buyers, as reported by listing sites, by as much as 61%. Here's a checklist before the photographer arrives:
- Remove all personal items (photos, souvenirs, documents)
- Hide small kitchen appliances, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies
- Ensure perfect lighting - open all blinds and turn on lights
- Prepare the apartment as if it were a show home from a catalog
- Temporarily remove excess furniture to make rooms seem more spacious
If you want to see what professional-quality photos should look like, you can check out an article on real estate in Tuscany or real estate for sale Madeira.
Strategy #3: Effective pricing and property auctions
One of the most effective real estate sales strategies is proper pricing combined with an auction model. This strategy involves posting an ad with a slightly reduced price to attract buyers' attention. At the same time, it's necessary to mention in the ad that the owner is open to price suggestions. This way, a buyer makes an offer, and note that the buyer is likely to price the property based on asking prices, which are higher than transaction prices.
How to price a property without the help of an appraiser?
Accurate property valuation is a key element of the entire real estate sales strategy:
- Comparative analysis - find at least 5-7 similar properties in the area
- Consideration of price trends - check historical data from the last 6-12 months
- Consultations with local notaries - who know actual transaction prices
Studies from the Institute of Urban and Regional Development at the end of 2024 indicate that properties accurately priced at market level sell the fastest, while those priced more than 5% above significantly prolong the transaction time.
Tip from Globihome: We recommend a price 3-5% higher than the expected final, providing room for negotiation but not deterring potential buyers. If this does not work, apply the auction strategy described above.
Strategy #4: Online Marketing and Property Presentation
The quality of online listings is crucial for successful property sales. In 2025, effective real estate marketing on social media is essential for reaching the right audience.
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes in Property Listings:
- Clutter in photos - personal items, boxes, toilet paper unremoved
- Intrusive watermarks - obscuring key features of the property
- Unprofessional photos - taken vertically or poorly lit
- Outdated materials - photos from different seasons or years
- Discrepancy between the description and photos - e.g., an "furnished" listing with photos of an empty apartment
Strategies for Improving Property Listings:
- Professional photo session - a one-time investment that speeds up the entire sales process
- Property preparation - thorough cleaning, removing personal and unnecessary items
- Virtual 3D tours - allowing remote property viewing (standard for 2025)
- Targeted social media campaigns - reaching precisely defined potential buyer groups
- AI tools utilization - for automatic photo enhancement and ad personalization
Strategy #5: Storytelling in Real Estate Sales
The most effective real estate sellers in the world know that storytelling in real estate sales is a powerful tool that transforms a regular transaction into an emotional journey.
How to Effectively Utilize Storytelling:
- Creating an emotional narrative - one that resonates with the client's needs and aspirations
- The "living in the home" technique - telling stories that show what daily life would be like in a given property
- The history of the place and surroundings - using trivia and positive aspects of the location
- Visualizing the future - helping clients envision living in the new place
Neuroscientific research from Harvard University shows that the human brain is 22 times more active when we hear a story than when we analyze dry facts. Utilizing storytelling, you increase the chances of your offer being remembered by potential clients.
Example of Effective Storytelling: "This apartment is not just a living space - it's a place where every morning starts with coffee on a sunny balcony overlooking the park, where family meals are crafted in the kitchen, and the living room hosts evening gatherings with friends. The previous owners spent 5 years creating their dream first home here, now it's time for your story."
Strategy #6: Building a Real Estate Agent's Personal Brand
In the social media era, building a real estate agent's personal brand is a key real estate sales strategy. With a strong personal brand, clients come to you on their own.
7 Elements of Effective Personal Branding:
- Consistent image - professional, cohesive message across all online channels
- Regular posting of expert content - sharing knowledge attracts potential clients
- Active networking - both online and offline
- Market specialization - being an expert in a specific market segment or location
- Case studies - showcasing successful transactions with specific outcomes
- Gathering and showcasing testimonials - reviews from satisfied clients build trust
- Consistent communication of USP (Unique Selling Proposition) - clearly showing what sets you apart from the competition
Strategy #7: Advanced Negotiation Techniques Key in Real Estate Sales Strategy
Successfully closing a sales deal requires mastery of negotiation techniques that set elite real estate sellers apart.
Key Questions in Real Estate Negotiations:
1. What is the reason for selling the property?
Understanding the other party's true motivation opens up new negotiation opportunities:
- Personal reasons (relocation, divorce, inheritance)
- Investment goals (portfolio diversification, price opportunity)
- Discovering the true reason allows for proposing creative solutions
2. How was the property's value estimated?
Answering this question often reveals how negotiable the price might be:
- If the owner shows uncertainty, the price may be arbitrary
- When the price is derived from a specific financial need (e.g., "I need exactly X zł for...")
- In the case of an analytical owner, it is worth presenting your own arguments based on market data
3. How quickly is the sale expected to be finalized?
The time factor often determines the negotiation possibilities:
- People needing a quick sale are more likely to make price concessions
- Buyers with a limited moving deadline might pay more for a quick transaction
- This question also helps eliminate those not genuinely ready for the transaction
4. What does the owner value most beyond the price?
Often, the seller's motivation goes beyond the financial aspect:
- Security and certainty of the transaction
- Flexibility in the timeline for handing over the property
- Assistance in moving or transporting furniture
- The possibility of leaving some furnishings or taking all furniture with them
Multifaceted negotiations beyond price
Price is just one of many elements that can be negotiated:
- Time - payment term (up to a year) or property handover date
- Furnishings - leaving or taking furniture and appliances
- Preparation work - cleaning, renovation, obtaining additional documents by the seller
- Additional costs - division of notarial fees, moving organization
- Suspensory conditions - making the transaction contingent upon certain conditions being met (e.g., obtaining a chimney sweep's opinion)
Advanced transaction closing techniques:
- Active listening - a fundamental skill for uncovering true needs
- The "when" instead of "if" technique - "When will you move in" instead of "If you decide"
- Alternative choice - "Would you prefer to take over the property in June or July?"
- Sandler methodology - focusing on discovering the client's "pain" instead of extolling the property's features
Example of applying Sandler methodology: Instead of saying: "This apartment has 65m² and 3 rooms", an agent using the Sandler methodology would say: "This 3-room layout on 65m² allows for a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, a separate room for the child, and a spacious living room, solving the space issue you mentioned earlier."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to sell an apartment in 2025?
The average time to sell an apartment in Europe is approximately 92 days, but with professional preparation and marketing strategy, this time can be reduced to 45-60 days. In attractive locations, well-prepared and priced apartments often find buyers within 15-20 days.
Is it worth renovating an apartment before selling?
The best returns on investment come from bathroom and kitchen renovations - they can increase the property's value by 10-15%. However, a complete renovation rarely pays off fully. A better strategy for property sales is refreshing (painting, minor repairs) and professional home staging. A 1000 euro investment in refreshing can yield a return of 4000-8000 euros in sales price.
How to set the asking price for an apartment?
When setting the price, consider the current transaction prices of similar properties in the area (not the offer prices!), the technical condition of the apartment and finishing standard, floor level, exposure, functional layout, location, and access to infrastructure. It is recommended to price 3-5% higher than the expected final price to allow room for negotiation.
Is it better to sell an apartment with an agent or on my own?
Studies show that properties sold by agents achieve prices that are on average 5-7% higher, but one must include the agent's commission (usually 2-3%). The key is to choose an agent with experience in the specific market segment and check their previous successes. Selling on one's own might be profitable for those with experience in real estate and time to conduct the process.
When is the best time to put an apartment on the market?
The best months to start selling an apartment are March-June, the spring period with the highest buyer activity, and September-October, after the holidays and before the winter season. The weakest periods occur in December-January, during the Christmas and New Year period, and July-August, the peak of the holiday season.
How much does professional home staging cost?
The cost of professional home staging depends on the size of the property and the scope of work. In 2025, the average cost for an apartment up to 70m² is about 800-1500 euros. The service may include: furniture rental, decorations, wall refreshing, professional cleaning. According to many reports, this investment is returned multiple times through reduced time on the market and increased final price.
Summary: 7 real estate sales strategies in 2025
Successful home or apartment sales in 2025 require a comprehensive sales strategy:
- Home staging - professional preparation of the property (+17% to the price)
- Professional photo session and 3D virtual tours (+61% more views)
- Precise valuation and pricing strategy (reduces sales time by 45%)
- Online marketing and digital property presentation (reaching the right audience)
- Storytelling (22x greater engagement of potential buyers)
- Building a personal brand (acquiring clients without active searching)
- Advanced negotiation techniques (increasing transaction closing effectiveness by 34%)
By implementing the real estate sales strategies outlined above, you will avoid the question "what mistakes to avoid when selling a house" because you will be prepared for every stage of this complex process. As the best in the industry say - success in real estate sales is not an accident, but the result of excellent preparation, strategic thinking, and the ability to build relationships based on trust.
If you are a professional real estate agent, check how to partner with us for free. However, if you are looking for properties to buy, you can find interesting properties in the articles below.