Many people choose to sell their homes without a real estate agent these days, a plan that can save you a lot of money. Of course, your home has to be sold before you can find that strategy effective. Here are some tips and tricks for writing an ad that will generate interest in your home and hopefully lead to a sale.

o Consider your ad options. Not long ago, a real estate ad had only one purpose: to appear in your local newspaper. And while newspapers are still a great option, modern technology requires a more far-reaching marketing strategy. The best place to start is by wondering where you would look if you were in the market for a home. The answer, for most people, is the Internet. It’s ideal because you don’t need to leave your home to browse the selection, and it’s ready when home buyers are. These are the same reasons you want your ad online, and there are many websites for sale by owner (FSBO) that will be happy to run your ad. Newspapers, of course, are a tried and true option that should not be discounted, even with the prominence of the internet. If you are outside of a major metropolitan area, make sure your ad appears in your local newspaper, as well as in a large daily in nearby cities; you never know when someone will want to move from the city to a more rural place.

o Set the scene. It only takes a few words for homebuyers to pick up the nearest phone and ask to see your home, or for those same homebuyers to turn the page without a second thought at your home. Include basics like the style (ranch, two stories, etc.) and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but you also want to include descriptive sentences that help people imagine living there. Make it easy for readers by giving them gemstones like “Spacious kitchen that opens to a great room, perfect for entertaining” or “Remodeled master bathroom that recreates your favorite spa.”

o Put a positive spin on things. It’s not okay to lie, but it’s okay to make your home sound as charming as possible. If you’re not ready to move in, say something like “Ready to be installed in your dream home.” And if you live in a neighborhood that has a less-than-desirable reputation, perhaps known for older homes without much space, be sure to convey how your home is different. Describe how your home sits on a large lot or the fact that you have a large garage that can be used as a workshop. Give home buyers a reason to change their minds about the neighborhood.

o Create a winning headline. It’s the first thing people will read, so you have to grab them. Pick the best feature or feature in your home and write the title: “Luxury Family Living at a Great Price” or “Splash Country Retreat with Orchards,” for example.

o Include a photo (or two). While a fabulous print can create an engaging mental image, there is no substitute for a real photo. When you have a lot of space, advertisements and brochures on the website, for example, include several photos of the interior and exterior of your home. When you only have room for one photo, it should be the outside of the house, preferably taken on a sunny day. No matter what angle or space you’re shooting, rule number one is “clean and tidy.” Clean up all the clutter before taking a photo and make sure the area is spotless.

o It’s about the price. It’s amazing how many home sellers omit the sale price in their listing. Whether by accident or intentionally, it is wrong. No matter how much someone loves your home, if it’s $ 100,000 over their budget, you’ve wasted your time and theirs because there’s no way they’ll make an offer. Letting people know in advance how much the house costs is efficient and courteous. You don’t have time to take 20 calls a day from people asking about the cost, only to have the phone turn off when they hear you. You want to receive phone calls from people who know the price, are comfortable with the stadium, and want to make an appointment to see it.

o Be short and sweet. The paragraphs, that is. The best way to lose someone’s attention is to stuff a lot of information into inconsistent paragraphs. Bullets are a great way to break facts into easily digestible chunks.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *