The 10-Second Test: Can Your Listing Pass the Scroll?

Imagine this: a buyer is scrolling through listings on their phone while waiting for their morning coffee at a café in Manhattan. You’ve got maybe 10 seconds—tops—before they swipe past your property.

That’s the reality of selling in today’s market. First impressions happen on a screen, and they happen fast.

So if you’re considering putting your home on the market, ask yourself this: Does your listing actually make someone stop and take a second look?

Buyers Are Looking Differently Than They Used To

Today’s buyers are moving quickly—and they’re often feeling overwhelmed. They’re scrolling through apps, comparing homes side by side, and relying heavily on photos to determine what’s worth a visit. If your listing doesn’t grab their attention immediately, it’s likely not getting a second glance.

Most buyers won’t even think about scheduling a showing unless the listing catches their eye online first. This means your photography, staging, and online presence are crucial long before you ever step into a negotiation.

While the pace of the market has cooled slightly, many neighborhoods in Manhattan are still seeing rapid sales. According to Redfin, about 38% of homes that went under contract in June 2025 did so within two weeks of being listed. That’s slower than the frenzied pace of recent years, but still quick enough that sellers can’t afford to overlook presentation.

What Is the 10-Second Rule?

If someone sees your home in a feed of 20 other listings, does it stop them long enough to click?

That’s the test.

Getting someone to stop doesn’t come from a lengthy description or a list of features. It comes from the visual—what they see first. If that lead photo isn’t clean, bright, and inviting, it’s likely getting skipped.

Here’s how most buyers interact with listings today:

• They skim photos more than they read
• They click only on listings that feel polished
• They move on quickly from anything that looks dark, cluttered, or outdated
• They follow the photos like a virtual tour—and lose interest if it’s hard to follow

And here’s the part many sellers miss: the things that grab attention aren’t always the most expensive updates. Often, it’s the clean kitchen, the natural light, and the thoughtfully arranged furniture. The details matter, and how those details are photographed matters even more.

How to Stop the Scroll: 6 Key Elements That Make a Listing Stand Out

1. Professional Photos

Photos are the first showing. Good ones create space, highlight the best features, and feel intentional. They’re taken at the right time of day, with the right angles and lighting. And they make even simple spaces feel welcoming.

Phone snapshots, on the other hand, tend to look cramped and dark—and buyers notice.

2. Bright, Clean, and Uncluttered Rooms

Buyers are trying to picture themselves living in the home. That’s harder to do when photos show a fridge covered in magnets or a bathroom with personal items on the counter.

Less is more. Clean surfaces, open blinds, and a few neutral pieces make a space feel fresh without feeling staged.

3. A Strong First Image

Your first photo is your digital handshake. It’s what buyers see when your listing pops up in their feed—and it plays a huge role in whether they decide to click.

Think carefully about which image you lead with. Maybe it’s a beautifully staged living room, a bright kitchen, or great curb appeal. Choose something that draws the eye and gives a sense of what’s to come.

4. A Thoughtful Photo Sequence

Buyers expect the photos to tell a story. When the order is jumbled—like going from the bathroom to the backyard and then to a hallway—it creates confusion.

A good photo flow moves through the home like a walk-through. Start with the main living areas, then work through bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor space.

5. Mobile-Friendly Formatting

Most people browse listings on their phones. If your photos are out of order, too small, or slow to load, you’re losing interest before it even has a chance to build.

A good agent will make sure your listing is optimized for every device—so no matter where someone’s looking, your home looks its best.

6. The Price Must Be Right

Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes and start scrolling through the homes in your Manhattan neighborhood. Beyond everything else in this list, the listed price just may be the most influential.

With more homes sitting on the market longer than in recent memory, buyers have more options to choose from. Pricing your property competitively is another advantage when you’re looking to catch their attention.

Why This Isn’t Just a “Nice to Have”

When your home looks great online, it gets more clicks, more showings, and more serious buyers. It’s not about tricking anyone. It’s about helping people connect with the space—and giving your home its best chance at standing out.

This doesn’t need to be a solo mission. A good agent will help you plan, prep, and present your home the right way. They’ll bring in the right photographer, know how to sequence your photos, and make sure your listing actually shows up where buyers are looking.

That’s the difference between “let’s wait and see” and “let’s go see it.”

Before You List...

Scroll through a few listings in your neighborhood. Which ones catch your eye? Which ones make you stop? Now imagine your home in that lineup.

Would you pause on your own listing? Would you click?

If you’re not sure—or if the answer is “probably not”—you’ve got time to get it right. You don’t need to renovate or redecorate. You just need a plan and a few key decisions that help your home show up well.

And if you’re not selling just yet? Save this for later. When the time comes, you’ll be ready to hit the market with a listing that actually gets noticed.