Whether you are just starting out or have been in the seller’s market, this information will be very helpful in locating buyers. Without a doubt, the Internet is the most effective means of attracting buyers because 75% of all home buyers will buy online BEFORE speaking with a real estate agent or broker.
A Bird’s Eye View: Online Real Estate Advertising!
You can advertise for FREE and for a FEE. There are a number of small and medium sized “engines/classifieds” that offer free ads. Most offer “Premium” upgrades, for broader exposure and better presentation. If you want to move your campaign on Hi-Gear, then MLS Flat-Fee is a must. If you’re not in a hurry, use the free advertising resources provided here.
Your ad needs the right things!
Almost all sellers want the same thing… a great price for their home and a quick sale. The online ads you’ll place need the right things to attract the buyers you want.
- HEADING: Browse the listings and see the headlines that catch your eye. Use them to write your own title. PLEASE use keywords like spacious, pool, water view, etc. to differentiate yourself from others. DO NOT use subjective words like great, beautiful, fantastic, they will not work.
- PHOTOS: Normally, your ad listing will have a small thumbnail of the front of your house. I recommend taking the photo on a cloudy day, to avoid problems with sunlight/shadow. If you are unmarried or semi-detached, take a photo at an angle to show the depth of your land.
- PRICE: Agents, brokers, and many of these online services will help you price your home. Ask for a fair price and expect people to negotiate between 5% and 15% off the price.
The Biggie – http://CRAIGSLIST.ORG
Let’s hope they serve in your area! Craigslist offers free listings of your house, condo, rentals… just about anything. And they get millions of visitors every day. That’s the exposure you want.
Set up an account with Craigslist first, it makes the posting and forwarding process easier.
After three days, exactly, you will be able to access your ad and delete it. You can then repost, so it gets a position near the top and looks more. That’s the Craigslist Free Advertising requirement; you have to keep reposting to get attention.
Additional Sites Offering FREE Real Estate Advertising
Choiceofhome.com, Trulia, Oodle, Google Base, Vast, Yahoo Real Estate, Zillow, Geebo, OLX, Hotpads, DotHomes, Lycos, Cyberhomes/AOL, FrontDoor, owns.com, homesbyowner.com, virtualfsbo.com, flatfeelisting.com , househitz.com, Kijiji.com, Backpage.com
Some of these sites offer paid upgrade advertising. I suggest you use all the free ads on the site first, before investing in paid ads. To find great Local Classified Ads sites, just Google: Free Classified Sites for Real Estate, your state (or city)
Remember, preparing quality materials such as headlines, copy, and photos is of paramount importance. Study what’s online now and use what you find effective. When homebuyers open your ad, you need to make a good impression, or they’ll just click on the next ad.
