It’s time for your REALTOR® to do their thing with a few old-fashioned, and some new-fashioned, marketing tools. The “For Sale” Sign
- Despite our leaps in technology, the “For Sale” sign continues to be an extremely effective way to advertise. Anybody responding to your sign is a solid lead because they’ve seen your home with their own eyes.
- Your REALTOR® may choose any or all of the following: classified ads in the newspaper (often with a photo), ads in real estate publications, property listings on cable television and good old-fashioned mail. Neighbourhood mailers can be incredibly effective.
- If you decide to have your home listed on a real estate Board’s MLS® System, you can also have your home advertised on http://www.REALTOR.ca, andhttp://www.mariamak.com , Canada’s most popular Internet research tool for residential real estate, and a big reason why over 85% of Canadians who search for a home start their search on the Internet.
- Your REALTOR® is part of an extensive community ofREALTORS® who collectively represent hundreds of eager buyers. REALTORS® can call other REALTORS®, who can call other REALTORS®, who can call other REALTORS®.
- A REALTOR® Open House is an efficient way to attractREALTORS® to see your home with their own eyes. If your home is perfect for one of their buyers, you can be sure they’ll rush right out and tell them! Your REALTOR® can organize everything and get the buzz started.
- Many buyers want to get a feel for your neighbourhood before they start working with a REALTOR®. That’s why Open Houses to the public are so important. They usually last a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday, and there are a few simple but important rules to follow.
- Make sure your home looks its finest
- Your best buyer may just walk in off the street!
- Most folks are decent, courteous and honest, but it’s wise to stash away jewelry, cameras and other small valuables. You can ask your REALTOR® to request a name and phone number from every visitor for added security.
- Is there an electrical cord somebody could trip on? Is there a chair that will collapse if somebody actually sits in it? Fix it, or lose it.
- Almost nobody’s dream home smells like smoked herring!
- You want people to feel relaxed and daydream that your home is their home. This just isn’t possible with you there. Go see a movie, or take your pets on a field trip.
- A “lock box” is a small, secure box that’s affixed to your front doorknob. It’s a mini safe with a key to your house inside.REALTORS® are given a combination to the lock box, so they can show your home to interested buyers.
- Be patient with visits. Hopefully they will lead to a great offer, soon.
