For Sale By Owner – Advertising Tips To Help You Sell Your Home

There are times when homeowners want to sell their home on their own and need to attract as many buyers as possible. There are some advertising tips that you should keep in mind to save yourself time, money and peace of mind.

One of the most effective means of attracting buyers is to advertise online, as today most buyers first search online before consulting a broker or agent. Today there are many classified sites that allow you to advertise for free. Just type “for sale by owner” into your Google or Yahoo! search bar and you will find many options on the first page. For better presentation and wider exposure, some sites may request premium upgrades, and these may be a good idea depending on the urgency of your specific situation. If you are not in a hurry, you can avoid them and only advertise on the free sites without spending any money.

The goals of most sellers are the same whether or not they list with a real estate professional. They want a quick sale with the highest possible price and the least hassle. For all homes for sale by owner, it’s imperative to get the right things in the ad so they can attract the right type and the most buyers.

In any advertisement, the headline is by far the most important part. Some experts say that it accounts for 80% of ad effectiveness. I always like to use the independent test. If you put just the headline and a phone number in a newspaper, will the phone ring? Look at ads that are already in the newspaper or wherever you are thinking of advertising. Which ones catch your attention? Don’t feel bad about copying what they do. It’s easier than starting from scratch.

Remember to also add photographs when possible. Take lots of photos and use as many of the best ones as possible. You don’t need to know much about taking photos, so I won’t press the point. Just keep in mind that when looking for houses, it makes good sense to look at the ones with pictures first.

You also have to make sure that the price they are asking for the house is fair and leave, at most, a ten percent margin of negotiation. Brokers/agents and some websites can help you determine the sale price of the property. Zillow.com immediately comes to mind. Along with marketing and exposure, price is one of the most important aspects of selling a home, so don’t go to a website that tells you the “value” of your home and use that price. Do your research. How much have comparable houses sold for in the same school district in the last 3 months?