Include the floor plan

Who doesn’t love it when a good plan comes together!

When it comes to property marketing, there is no better way of showcasing a home in one picture than with a floor plan.

Somebody described a good quality floor plan as being like a tailormade suit. It exudes confidence and class, and never goes out of style. That may be a stretch for some, but nonetheless, there are many reasons why a floor plan is a positive addition in a property marketing campaign.

Potential buyers may view hundreds of properties online and in person when looking to buy. It is very hard to remember each one.

If you were looking to buy a new house, what would you be paying attention to, aside from the overall look. The comfort and the usability of space? How the rooms flow? Here, the addition of a floor plan has it all over photos alone.

Including a floorplan enhances the experience of potential buyers and allows them to really see the potential of a home.

A great floor plan can make your home stand out from other property listings.

The professionally drawn floor plan shows the complete layout of the property and helps buyers understand how the property flows. They see the shapes, the room sizes and any fixed furniture all at once. It helps them to visualise how the space could potentially work for them. It enables them to see how the interior could be modified to make it more suitable for their needs.

A floor plan helps buyers ‘make sense of the property’ pre-inspection, which is a key to them taking the next step and inspecting personally.

Post inspection, the floor plan is a great reminder of the layout. Buyers can start to visualise their things in a property and map out their furniture placement. In this way, the floor plan helps to establish an emotional connection.

With quite a few different types of floor plans, including some with interactive qualities that can be incorporated into listing sites, you and your agent will need to decide which is best for your property.

The most basic plans are simply drawn in black and white. They provide the dimensions of a property and its rooms.

Colour floor plans, while still simple, capture and maintain a buyer’s attention much better than a black and white plan.

Site plans include a home’s floor plan in relation to the layout of its garden or grounds, including prominent external features and outbuildings.

Textured floor plans add floor textures, outdoor decking and furniture in a 2D perspective to give buyers a more appealing visual.

3D artist impressions, generally generated from detailed B&W floor plans, are good for bringing yetto-be-built homes or commercial property to life.

Online interactive floor plans effectively combine photographs and floor plans. Symbols on the plan help buyers navigate easily through a home by clicking on each photo, which gives them great feel for flow and layout. Buyers say they find the experience instils confidence and helps with their decision-making.

3D interactive floor plans are ‘nextgeneration’ property marketing that’s here right now! They are far more visual and interactive than a 2D floor plan and much easier to understand. A user can interact with the floor plan by zooming into a room or rotating the model to view from a different angle. The virtual model removes the need for architectural symbols for walls, windows and doors, and clearly shows internal features like wardrobes and cupboards.

Tips for a great floor plan

• Ensure the plan is user-friendly. • Include true dimensions and measurements so buyers can get an accurate idea of the property and its scale. • Including location and size of windows and doors helps buyers work out furniture. • Have all rooms correctly named.

No spelling errors. • Include a site plan to show how a house fits into the block. • Identify north to help buyers get the home’s orientation.