Demystifying Media Costs: Why Professional Presentation Is Worth the Extra Euro
If you are preparing to sell your home, one question often comes up quickly: why are there media costs on top of the sales commission? When you want the best possible result, that question is worth asking. The short answer is simple: professional presentation helps your property stand out, attract the right buyers, and support a stronger sales strategy. For sellers working with Spijker Makelaardij, media costs are a separate part of the sales process because they cover the tools used to present your home professionally and prominently to the market.
In this article, we explain what media costs are, what they can include, and why they matter so much when selling in Almere. You will also see how Spijker Makelaardij approaches property presentation, which optional media extras are available, and how to think practically about choosing the right presentation package for your home.
What are media costs when selling a home?
Media costs are the costs associated with creating the visual and promotional presentation of your property. These are separate from the commission for sales guidance. In addition, there is also a separate fee for listing the property on Funda.
At Spijker Makelaardij, the commission for selling support is not fixed as a standard percentage. It is determined individually per property and depends on factors such as the home and the scope of the assignment. The costs for sales support are quoted after an appointment at the client’s home. On top of that, media costs and the Funda listing fee are charged separately.
That structure is logical. The sales guidance and the presentation materials are related, but they are not the same thing. One covers the professional support during the transaction. The other covers how the property is shown to the market.
Why professional presentation matters
Buyers usually form a first impression before they ever schedule a viewing. In practice, that first moment often happens online. That is why presentation is not a minor detail. It is a core part of the sales strategy.
A strong property presentation helps in several ways:
- It creates attention in a crowded market.
- It shows the home clearly and attractively.
- It helps buyers understand the layout and atmosphere before visiting.
- It can improve the quality of viewing requests, because interested buyers already have a better picture of the property.
- It supports the positioning of the home toward the right target audience.
This is especially relevant in a market like Almere, where buyers often compare multiple homes online in a short time. Clear visuals and the right media package can make the difference between being scrolled past and being seriously considered.
What does Spijker Makelaardij include in the property presentation?
When Spijker Makelaardij presents a home on Funda, the presentation includes:
- the sales text
- photos
- a link to the property’s own website
- digital floor plans
To give homes more attention, Spijker Makelaardij also adds the successful Funda Blikvanger.
In addition, properties are promoted on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, and appear on other platforms including:
- Huislijn
- Jaap
- Pararius
- Zoekallehuizen.nl
A distinctive part of the approach is the creation of a unique property website with the URL of the home address, such as uwadres.nl. This gives the property extra visibility, is easy to share, looks polished, and can also function as a digital brochure.
Which media extras are available?
Not every home needs the same presentation. That is why Spijker Makelaardij offers a range of media enhancements that can be added depending on the selected package and the needs of the property.
Available media options
Sellers can add:
- 360-degree photos
- A professional home video
- A Matterport 3-D virtual tour
- Evening photography
- Elevated-height or mast photography
- Drone footage
These options can be combined so the presentation matches the property and target audience.
What these extras help buyers see
Each format serves a different purpose:
| Media option | What it adds |
|---|---|
| 360-degree photos | Helps buyers look around spaces more interactively |
| Professional home video | Shows flow, atmosphere, and lifestyle more dynamically |
| Matterport 3-D virtual tour | Allows online walk-throughs and gives a clearer sense of layout |
| Evening photography | Adds atmosphere and can highlight lighting and exterior appeal |
| Elevated-height or mast photography | Offers perspective that standard photos cannot capture |
| Drone footage | Creates striking aerial views and stronger location context |
In general, richer media makes it easier for buyers to engage with a listing from a distance. That can be especially useful for busy buyers or international buyers and sellers, an area in which Spijker Makelaardij has experience.
Why these costs are separate from commission
A common question is whether media should simply be included in the commission. The reason it is often separated is practical and transparent.
Presentation choices can vary widely from property to property. One seller may want a solid standard package. Another may want a more extensive campaign with video, drone footage, and a Matterport 3-D tour. By separating these costs, the presentation can be tailored more precisely.
This fits the broader working style of Spijker Makelaardij: a personal, hands-on approach that starts with a consultation to understand the client’s goals, the property, and the market conditions. The strategy is tailored to the individual client and home rather than applied as a one-size-fits-all formula.
How Funda media packages fit into the picture
Selling visibility is not only about creating good content. It is also about choosing how that content appears on major property platforms.
Spijker Makelaardij advises sellers on all available Funda presentation and media packages. The agency helps clients choose the option that best fits the property, target audience, and sales strategy. Package features and costs are discussed in advance, so sellers can make an informed decision.
That guidance matters, because different homes benefit from different levels of exposure. A well-chosen package can strengthen the overall presentation when combined with the right visuals and positioning.
Professional presentation supports pricing and positioning
Media is not only about aesthetics. It also supports how a home is positioned in the market.
At Spijker Makelaardij, market analysis goes beyond average selling prices. The team looks at:
- current transactions
- price trends
- speed of sale
- supply and demand
- comparable properties in the immediate area
That market data is combined with daily experience in the Almere housing market to provide well-founded advice on price, positioning, and timing.
Professional presentation works best when it supports that advice. For example:
- If a home is positioned toward a broad target group, clear photography and accessible floor plans can help many buyers assess it quickly.
- If atmosphere is a key selling point, video or evening photography may add value.
- If layout and scale matter, a Matterport 3-D tour or 360-degree imagery can help buyers understand the space better.
- If location or plot perspective is important, drone footage or elevated photography can strengthen the story.
In other words, media is not just decoration. It is part of how a home is marketed intelligently.
Are home staging and preparation part of media costs?
Not necessarily. Home preparation can involve separate services.
If requested, Spijker Makelaardij can obtain information from external suppliers about preparing a property for sale. The fees for those services are set by the suppliers and are communicated once the information is available.
That can be useful because strong presentation starts before the photographer arrives. Clean spaces, a logical layout, and thoughtful styling can all contribute to better visuals.
Practical tips for sellers choosing a media package
If you want to get the most from your sales presentation, use these practical guidelines.
1. Think beyond the cheapest option
The lowest upfront cost is not always the strongest strategic choice. A home benefits when its presentation matches its strengths and likely buyer profile.
2. Match the media to the property
Ask which visual elements actually help explain the home best. Some homes need strong standard photography and floor plans. Others benefit from video, aerial images, or a 3-D tour.
3. Consider your target audience
If your buyer is likely to compare many listings online, richer media can help your home stand out. If buyers may come from farther away, interactive viewing tools can become even more useful.
4. See media as part of the wider strategy
Presentation should support the asking price, the timing, and the intended market position. It works best when it is aligned with the broader sales plan.
5. Ask for advice on Funda options
Because Spijker Makelaardij advises on all available Funda media packages, sellers can make a more informed decision about visibility and presentation.
What sellers can expect from Spijker Makelaardij
For homeowners in Almere, Spijker Makelaardij combines long-standing local knowledge with practical sales guidance. Founded in 1996 and active in the Almere housing market for 30 years, the agency focuses on residential property sales, purchases and valuations.
The team consists of experienced NVM real estate agents with expertise in Almere, its neighbourhoods, and local market developments. Clients receive personal guidance, clear advice, proactive updates, and direct access to the team throughout the process. The agency also works in Dutch and English and has experience assisting international buyers and sellers.
That local and professional knowledge matters when deciding how to present a property. Good media choices are most effective when they are connected to neighbourhood appeal, buyer expectations, and current market conditions.
Quick answer: are media costs worth it?
Yes—when they are chosen strategically, media costs are worth it because they help present your home more clearly, more attractively, and more competitively.
Professional presentation can help buyers engage with the property faster and more seriously. It supports visibility, positioning, and the overall quality of the marketing campaign. In that sense, media costs are not an extra for the sake of appearance alone. They are an investment in how your home is brought to market.
Conclusion
Selling a home is about more than placing a listing online. It is about creating the right first impression, telling the right story, and making it easy for buyers to understand the value of the property. That is why media costs are a meaningful part of the process.
At Spijker Makelaardij, sellers benefit from a tailored approach: individual advice on sales support, guidance on Funda packages, a strong online presentation, and optional media extras such as 360-degree photos, professional home video, Matterport 3-D virtual tours, evening photography, mast photography, and drone footage.
If you are considering selling your home in Almere and want clear advice on the best presentation strategy for your property, contact Spijker Makelaardij for a personal consultation. A well-presented home starts with the right plan.