How to Make Your Listing Stand Out in a Crowded East Texas Market
If you’ve scrolled through homes for sale lately, you’ve probably noticed something—the East Texas real estate market is busy. New listings pop up daily and buyers have options. Not every listing is created equal, though! Some catch attention instantly. Others blend in and sit quietly while newer, more compelling homes steal the spotlight.
Soooo…what’s the difference? Strategy.
I’m Kristin Koonce, and I help homeowners in Longview, White Oak, and across East Texas stand out from the noise and get their homes sold efficiently and for top value. Whether you’re about to list or your current listing is about to expire and needs a boost, here’s exactly how to make your home impossible to overlook.
1. Start with your property’s story, not just stats.
Buyers don’t buy square footage; they buy feeling. They want to imagine their life unfolding in your space—not just read a list of upgrades! Every single listing needs a story. Your listing description should answer the following questions:
What makes this home different from the one down the street?
What emotion do you want buyers to feel when they scroll through your photos?
What lifestyle does this property offer—quiet country sunsets, convenience, or space to breathe and grow?
When I write listing descriptions, I don’t just list features; I tell the home’s story in a way that connects emotionally and strategically because emotion drives action. Click here to view examples of previous listing descriptions I have written! I love making my sellers cry when they read their listing description. It means I did their home justice and I take great pride in the words I write about every single piece of property I list. My listing descriptions stand out…yours should, too!
2. Professional photos are a must because your first showing happens ONLINE!
I write about this often, but your photos are the single most powerful marketing tool you have. In fact, over 90% of buyers start their search online and they decide whether to click “see more” in seconds.
That means professional photography isn’t optional. IT’S ESSENTIAL! Buyers are scrolling through dozens of homes a day. Photos are what stop their scroll and the right photos can make your home feel like the one before they ever set foot inside. If they don’t like what they see online, they’re most likely not going to want to see it in person.
Oh, and don’t forget you’re paying your agent to market your home. If your listing agent has iPhone photos, dark photos, crooked photos, or vertical photos…you either need a new listing agent or you need to hold your current listing agent accountable. Don’t let your agent settle for the bare minimum.
3. Nail your pricing strategy because visibility depends on it!
Even the best marketing can’t overcome an unrealistic price. Overpriced homes get fewer clicks, fewer showings, and end up helping other listings sell faster. Yikes!
When I price homes, I don’t just pull comps. I analyze local market behavior in your neighborhood, days-on-market trends, and buyer demand patterns. That’s how we find the sweet spot...it’s a price that’s competitive, realistic, and attractive to today’s East Texas buyers.
Remember, pricing strategically doesn’t mean “pricing low.” It means positioning your home where it gets noticed and drives activity.
4. Highlight the lifestyle, not just the lot.
East Texas homes are special. Whether it’s acreage, a peaceful back porch, or proximity to schools and amenities, every property here offers something unique. Make sure that shows up in your marketing. Does your home have acreage? Market it as a private retreat or mini-ranch lifestyle. Is it an in-town home? Emphasize convenience, community, and walkability. What about modern renovations? Focus on turnkey comfort and low maintenance.
Buyers aren’t just buying a home. They’re buying the way of life that comes with it! SHOWCASE IT!
5. Go beyond the MLS! Market like a business, not like a listing.
Many sellers assume their home goes on MLS and that’s that…but that’s just the start! To stand out in a crowded market, your agent should be doing far more:
targeted Facebook and Instagram ads to reach active and passive buyers in East Texas
email marketing to a local agent network and potential buyers who’ve shown interest in similar homes
property website or single-page landing site with virtual tour and downloadable brochure
When done right, these items create momentum and help your home stay top-of-mind.
6. Stage it…even if you still live there!
Staging isn’t just for vacant homes or million-dollar listings. It’s about helping buyers see potential. You don’t need to replace everything, just create space and flow. Do the following:
declutter surfaces and simplify decor
use neutral tones and natural light
focus on key impact zones—living room, kitchen, and primary suite
Small changes make a big difference. I often walk my sellers through a pre-listing prep checklist so we know exactly what to tackle before photos and before we go live!
7. Refresh the copy—words matter more than you think!
A flat description kills interest fast. Similar to what I mentioned above, the goal is to make a buyer feel what it’s like to live there. Compare these two lines:
“3-bedroom, 2-bath brick home with fenced yard” vs. “Enjoy morning coffee on the covered patio of this move-in-ready 3-bedroom home, just minutes from downtown Longview.”
Which one makes you want to see it? The first one makes me roll my eyes to the back of my head. I see this far too often.
Words create curiosity, and curiosity drives showings.
8. Keep it active. Don’t let momentum fade!
Once your home hits the market, stay visible. Share updates, highlight features, and post reminders. I like to feature listings across platforms multiple times. Consistency keeps your listing fresh in buyers’ minds and ensures agents remember it, too.
9. Work with an agent who markets proactively…not passively!
Standing out requires energy, creativity, and a plan. A proactive agent doesn’t just wait for calls. They create opportunities. That’s what I do for my East Texas sellers:
custom marketing plans for each property
hands-on listing prep and staging guidance
weekly feedback reports and performance updates
constant optimization to stay ahead of buyer trends
If your home deserves to stand out, it deserves a launch plan that matches that ambition.
10. Make the first 7 days count!
The first week your home is on the market is everything. That’s when buyer interest (and algorithm exposure!) are highest!
A strong launch means:
hitting the market on the right day (often midweek for weekend momentum)
rolling out marketing in waves—MLS, social media, email
responding quickly to inquiries
When everything aligns, your home builds excitement and attracts serious buyers fast.
Ready to make your listing stand out?
In a crowded East Texas market, “just listed” isn’t enough. You need a launch strategy that turns heads, sparks clicks, and gets buyers walking through the door. That’s exactly what I do! I’d love to do it for you. If you’re thinking about selling in Longview, White Oak, or anywhere in East Texas, let’s build a customized plan to make your home stand out from the crowd and sell for top value.
Let’s make your home the one everyone’s talking about!
CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE HOME VALUE REPORT.
I don’t just list properties…I SELL THEM! #getlistinwithkristin
Kristin Koonce, REALTOR®
(903)241-2608
kristinkoonce@gmail.com
www.kristinkoonce.com
BOLD Real Estate Group, Suzanne Smith, Broker/Owner