Phoenix Real Estate Media Specialist: ‘You have to cater to the attention span’ to stand out online

Phoenix real estate media specialist Jacob Allumbaugh said agents must adapt to a digital-first homebuying process where attention is won or lost in seconds.

“You really have to cater to the attention span of the person looking at homes,” Allumbaugh said on the Phoenix Business Brief Podcast. “That first cover photo has to catch attention. It has to make them stop and go, ‘Ooh, maybe this is something I wanna check out.’”

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Allumbaugh, owner of Salt Media, works with real estate agents, builders, and architects to create photo, video, drone, and social media content designed to showcase properties. He said the shift toward online browsing has made media presentation central to selling homes.

“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,” he said. “People are scrolling through hundreds, if not thousands of homes.”

He pointed to tools like 3D virtual tours as a way to increase visibility, noting that listings using such features can significantly boost engagement. He also emphasized the importance of high-quality imagery, including architectural-style photography and drone footage, to differentiate listings in crowded markets.

“What’s special about it? What’s gonna make someone choose that home over the one that’s down the road?” Allumbaugh said.

Allumbaugh said Phoenix’s fast-moving and highly competitive housing market makes differentiation especially important, with many similar homes listed in the same areas. He advises agents to focus on small details, such as lighting, staging, and cleanliness, to improve presentation.

“The biggest thing is standing out in crowded markets,” he said.

He also highlighted the growing role of social media, arguing that it has effectively become the primary form of media consumption.

“We’re not talking about social media anymore. We’re talking about media,” Allumbaugh said. “We need to be entertaining.”

In addition to property marketing, Allumbaugh works with agents to develop personal brands that align with their interests and resonate with potential clients.

“The working definition that I go with, with branding is associating yourself with things that your target market perceives as good,” he said.

Allumbaugh founded Salt Media after working in real estate media in Oregon and expanding into Arizona, where he now focuses on helping agents improve how they present properties and connect with buyers.