Many FSBO sellers are told that marketing their home for sale by owner is very difficult. The fact is that many FSBO sellers do not approach their intent to sell proactively. The goal of any FSBO seller is to let as many buyers as possible know that their home is for sale. The number one mistake FSBO sellers make is not marketing their home correctly.
There are many different things you can do to market a home. Number one is to use as many forms of media as possible to create maximum exposure for a house that is for sale. Since marketing is key to selling a home, you’ll want to take the time to prepare a marketing plan. Advertising budget is always a concern, but with the growth of the internet, your options are plentiful and often free. Research your options so you can get the most out of your investment. Be careful not to waste your time or money on services you don’t need.
Here is a list of FSBO marketing ideas:
1) Signs: Of course, this is number one: keep your signs simple with basic contact information like phone number. Your number should be large and easy to read for potential buyers looking for a home in the area.
2) Free Online Local Classified Ads: There are many communities that have started free classified websites. (Free)
3) Open days: They can help, but they are not the best way to market your home. Many of the people who come to your house are neighbors or people who are not true committed buyers. That can be helpful in a way because they can share their knowledge with someone who is actually searching. However, don’t discount this method because only one person needs to like your home to find a potential buyer.
4) Internet use: The Internet is the main source of media to create exposure. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reach buyers. Most homebuyers (85%) begin their search online. There are several ways to advertise online. There are many websites for sale by owners and the key is to list your house on as many as possible. The main drawback is that this can take some time, but it is key to getting your house in the public eye. Many of these FSBO websites will allow you to list your home for free. Unlike in the past, many of these FSBO sites now share your information and may place you on partner websites automatically.
5) Craigs List: You can list your property for free on CraigsList. Go to craigslist.com and be sure to select your city first. The drawback of this site is that you have to post often as the listings are sorted by date.
6) Virtual visits: The Virtual Tour is a great option. The virtual tour can give your potential buyer a much better idea of what the interior of your home looks like. You may also consider posting several YouTube.com videos of your home for sale. This is a great high traffic website that can allow you to link to your online listing from the video.
7) Multiple Listing Service (MLS): Perhaps the best tool for marketing your home is the MLS. MLS listings are usually pulled from major websites like Realtor.com and almost all real estate company websites. To be listed, you must go through a real estate broker. There are many brokers that will list your property on the MLS for a flat fee.
The best thing to remember is that as a FSBO seller you need to take a proactive approach to selling your home. There’s no reason you can’t get the same amount of eyes looking at your home online as if you were listed with a full-service broker. You may have some minor costs to establish your online presence, but it will be a fraction of the commissions paid to a traditional broker.
