A Phoenix-based real estate media specialist said standing out in today’s crowded housing market requires agents to rethink how they present listings in an era dominated by online scrolling.
“First impressions are everything, primarily because it’s happening online,” said Jacob Allumbaugh, owner of Salt Media, on the Phoenix Business Brief Podcast. “Gone are the days for the most part of drive by, drive by a house, see a for sale sign, buy it and you’re done. That does not happen.”
“People are scrolling through hundreds, if not thousands of homes as they’re on their search for that perfect home,” Allumbaugh said. “In an age of scrolling for buying homes, which is something that we would’ve never thought of 10, 20 years ago, you really have to cater to the attention span of the person looking at homes.”
Allumbaugh said buyers now encounter listings primarily through digital platforms, where visual presentation and attention-grabbing images can determine whether a home gets a second look.
He noted that tools such as 3D virtual tours and drone photography have become more common, allowing buyers to explore properties remotely and compare multiple listings before ever visiting in person.
Allumbaugh is the owner of Salt Media, a Phoenix-based company that works with real estate agents, architects and builders to produce photography, video, drone footage and social media content designed to showcase properties and help agents differentiate themselves in competitive markets.
