Advertisement

Homeowner uses social media to cash in

A Melbourne homeowner has cashed in on the social media boom, selling his house at $135,000 above its reserve price after advertising it on Twitter.

Forget estate agents, digital expert Kurt Opray is the person to speak to if you are looking to cash in on your home at sale time.

His three-bedroom, one-bathroom Northcote home had a $920,000 reserve, but it sold for $1,055,000 at auction thanks to his unique social media campaign to court interest from potential buyers.

Instead of relying solely on the selling skills of an estate agent, the digitally minded tech-head used Twitter, a blog spot and YouTube to give a personal insight of what it was like to live in the house.

Social media expert Kurt Opray used social media to cash in on his home. Photo: northcotehouse.com.au
Social media expert Kurt Opray used social media to cash in on his home. Photo: northcotehouse.com.au

He posted updates and blogged weekly leading up to the auction, spruiking the selling points and hoping potential buyers would fall in love at the first click.

"I know my house better than any agent. Who better to sell the house than me?" Mr Opray told the Financial Review.

And his cutting-edge method worked.

The house went under the hammer just six weeks after he put it on the market, and the turn-out was astounding.

Check out Kurt Opray's selling efforts on Twitter

Selling agent Rob Elsom, director of Hocking Stuart Northcote, told the Financial Review the auction drew about 80 people - 30 more than expected.

Four bidders battled it out.

"It was an average house in a good-sized block," Mr Elsom said.

"It's still raw for us - the take-up and interest was astounding."

Real estate experts say that the methods used to sell his home are the way of the future, but that they can never replace the more traditional measures.

For more information on how to start blogging follow the link

Get started by joining the Seven News community blog