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The
most important part of any marketing effort is gaining the
interest of the potential buyer.
In the real estate
industry this can be accomplished through several marketing
venues.
A Professional Yard
Sign-
A must have for every seller! Over the past 7
years in the Triangle market, we have seen homeowners use
everything from tomato stakes with a stapled cardboard
"for sale" sign to a very professional image
worthy of a buyers confidence. Anyone can purchase a cheap
sign at the local discount warehouse, and look amateurish.
We endorse using a professional sign that will instill
confidence in the buyer, and keep them from seeking out the
services of a real estate agent. Make sure your phone number
is legible. Don't use a magic marker since they have a
tendency to bleed and will look "old" in just a
matter of days.
Directional Signs-
Even though a professional yard sign will gain attention,
unless you live on a major thoroughfare, you will need
directional signs to lead the buyers to your property. These
signs should match your yard sign in appearance so that the
buyers can see them from down the street, and know that they
belong to that home. Place them strategically at
intersections off the major roads, and on every corner
leading to your home. In many areas of the Triangle, placing
any signs off the property is against the law and could draw
a fine. Check with local city ordinances.
Informational
Flyers/Brochures-
Flyers/brochures are an important tool
when selling your home. They provide the potential buyer
information about your property long after they have left
the area. Once at home, buyers will look through the flyers
they have collected, refreshing their memory about the
property. If you don't provide a flyer, how will they be
reminded of YOUR home? We always encourage sellers to use
flyers, but to only put about 25 in their information tube
or brochure holder each day. This way buyers will be able to
take the information home with them, and the seller won't
run out very easily. Putting 50+ flyers on display only
looks like the seller is desperate to sell, or no one is
looking at the house. The last person of the day, should be
picking up the last flyer in the tube. Count on your
neighbors taking one (you would) just to see what you are
asking for your property. They are just curious, however,
they may know someone who is interested in buying in their
neighborhood. Lastly, although color flyers look great, they
also cost about 79 cents each. We have been providing
homeowners with flyers for over 6 years now, and have found
black and white to be completely acceptable. If you want to
use color, keep them in the house for the serious potential
buyer.
For Sale By Owner
Magazine-
Since 1995, For Sale By Owner magazine has
quickly become the most popular real estate publication in
the Triangle market. Featuring homes with either black and
white or color photographs, and placing all homes in
ascending price order, this magazine is easy for the buyer
to read. For Sale By Owner is so popular that we have to
deliver twice weekly to our high traffic locations. You'll
find For Sale By Owner in Harris Teeter, Food Lion,
Wellspring Grocery, and convenience stores
throughout the Triangle area. Advertising rates can be
located inside the back cover of the magazine, or on the
Order Form here on this website. Over 75,000 buyers read For
Sale By Owner every issue!!!
The Local Newspaper-
Although Century 21 reports that only 1% of all home sales
comes from the classifieds, you can readily see that real estate
agents advertise in the newspapers. Frequently agents do this
to show the home seller that they are advertising somewhere
outside the Multiple Listing Service. On the positive side-
the weekend newspaper is read by many buyers. However, you
can count on being lost amongst the hundreds of other homes
that are offered for sale. Usually the newspaper will offer
a 10 day package that will include Saturday and Sunday.
The Multiple Listing
Service-
The local database used by real estate agents
to list their properties for sale. Most agents charge
somewhere between 6-10% commissions based on the sales price
of the property to list the property on this database. Keep
in mind that agents frequently discriminate against each
other, and therefore, eliminate showing certain homes to
potential buyers due to who has it listed. Many times we
have seen agents NOT show a property because it is listed
with a competing realty company. Over the past few years,
homeowners are balking at paying this high commission, or
are passing the costs onto the buyer. Now, in conjunction
with Triumph Realty, you can now place your home on the
Triangle MLS for as little as 1% and still sell "by
owner"! Call Triumph Realty at 233-8889 for
details. |
