If you choose to sell your home by owner choosing the right words in your for sale by owner ad is crucial for driving traffic into your home. You can use local newspapers, magazines, free real estate books, websites, Craigslist, etc - the list goes on and on. These 5 for sale by owner ad tips should give you a great start to writing eye-catching ads, and if you want to learn how to sell a house fast and effectively you must learn to drive buyers from the ads you create.
1. Make The Title Catchy and As Short As Possible
You want to include the best feature of the home in the title, but keep it short. You want potential buyers to continue reading, not just skim over the title and go on to the next for sale by owner ad. Make the title bold, and feel free to use underlining or italics when describing your home's best feature.
2. Include 3 Other Great Features Of The Home In Your Ad
Don't give away everything! Let potential buyers know why they NEED to come inside your home - mention three features that you like the most - or better yet, that your friends or family members like the most. Let readers know that there are plenty of other features that you do not have the space to put in the advertisement. This will create a sense of curiosity and most importantly, a sense of urgency!
3. Mention The Incentives That You're Offering - And Your Competition Is Not
Might you suggest a free gas voucher? Or basic gift certificate with a valid offer? Make sure they know that if they produce an offer before a specified date, you're going to reward them. Buyers, especially in this down market are searching for anything they can wrap their arms around since they realize that the control is in their corner! Offer them something inexpensive and useful - a $200 gas card, although relatively inexpensive, can go a long way! Keep in mind that you don't actually have to purchase this incentive until AFTER you close the deal!
4. Leave Solid Contact Information With A Strong Call To Action
Make sure to include your cell phone number or a website address - either will work just fine. If you're placing your mobile number in the ad make sure it's on all the time and try not to ever miss incoming calls. People want information as soon as their hunger starts, and if you aren't there to answer they will just move on to the next ad and call someone else with answers. Ensure you create a good impression with your prospects - include updates, any incentives you might be giving away, etc. Mention why you love your home and how proud you are of it - but don't go overboard. Remind the reader that the asking price is realistic and you did your homework before putting the house for sale.
If you have a website, be sure to place an opt-in form on it - this is where they can place their name and email address and receive some free information. Perhaps a property brochure, an inspection report, an appraisal or CMA (Competitive Market Analysis - typically done by a Realtor), etc. Make it enticing so you can capture their contact information and email them within 24 hours to ask if they need any further assistance.
5. Include The Asking Price And Mention "Already Reduced" In Your Ad
Place the asking price a tiny bit higher than you are asking - and mention that it has been just reduced. This is a great call to action - either entice them to call the number listed or entice them to log on to your home's website for more information on the "just reduced" price. This will create even more sense of curiosity and urgency in the reader.
Please don't take these for sale by owner ad tips lightly - many people become overwhelmed with too many steps during the listing process and forget that they are spending hard-earned money on their ads and often times rush through them. Take your time with this section as this is where you can paint the picture for your house.
Without a well-written, creative and enticing ad, chances are you won't get any phone calls or visitors to your website. These for sale by owner ad tips will better your odds of producing the interest necessary to get the right buyers into your house!
