FSBO (For Sale By Owner) is becoming a popular way to sell homes. Many people who choose this method to sell their home are wanting to avoid real estate commissions. Others have tried real estate agents and decided that they can sell their home or property better.

If you have decided that you want to sell your FSBO home, you need to realize that you will need to market your home as a real estate agent would. This means that you must use the same real estate marketing methods that a real estate agent would use. This means that you will have to put time and effort into the effort.

You have concluded that FSBO is the way to go. You are ready to put your home or property on the ‘for sale by owner’ market. You have priced your home competitively and appropriately for your local market. How are you going to market it now to get the exposure to attract potential buyers and make the sale?

You will need to follow the same steps and marketing techniques that any real estate agent would use. These are the techniques I would recommend:

For Sale By Owner Signs

House signs are the first place to start. Signs can be made locally or can often be purchased at hardware stores. I would spend the money to make your own personal sign. It will pay if it’s done right.

While real estate agents put up signs with the name of the agency and the phone number of the listing agent to contact. FSBO signs should read like the headline of a good advertisement. “Your dream home is now for sale” or “The view from your future home is spectacular.” You need to grab drivers’ immediate attention and get them interested in seeing your home for themselves. This sign should play on the emotions of the potential buyer.

The phone number on the sign should be prominent and large enough for visitors to read from the road. It should be preceded by a statement such as: “For more information on this wonderful home, please call 555-5555.” Establish a phone number that is separate from your normal, specific phone number for the purpose of selling your home.

Buy an answering machine that has caller ID so you can capture the name and phone number of potential buyers. The message should tell the caller to leave their contact information so you can get back to them as soon as possible with full property details. If you have your home on the Internet, you can also give them the URL while you wait for them to call you back. This website may also appear on your FSBO sign.

classified ads

A classified ad in your local newspaper for your FSBO property is a good investment. These are generally inexpensive and have a high return on investment to get leads for potential buyers. A short ad, that also reads like a good headline, and runs multiple times will serve you best. The same information found on your house sign, phone number, and website listing must accompany the ad.

Community magazines and publications

Many communities have “For Sale By Owner” magazines that are posted in shopping malls, gas stations, and outside grocery stores. These are similar to the house magazines in which real estate agencies advertise listings.

These ‘For Sale By Owner’ listings will cost more than a classified ad, but have the advantage of having photos of your home and a more detailed description of the listing. I would advise making your listing different and unique from the normal listing if possible. Some publishers have set rules about what they allow.

Use these ads to emphasize the benefits of the home and not just the features of the home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Answer the question of what’s in it for the buyer. Provide your special phone number so you can collect contact information about the prospect.

brochures

One page brochures or flyers are one of the best means for a for sale owner to advertise their property. These can be placed in a brochure holder on your FSBO yard sign, on bulletin boards at local neighborhood stores and restaurants, and given to parties who express an interest in buying your home.

Brochures are your ticket to promoting your home like no real estate agent will. Don’t make your FSBO brochure look like a typical listing ad. Once again, think outside the box and make it more of a personal sales letter.

Emphasize the benefits of home. The view, the convenience to shopping, schools and workplaces. Be aware of special features that set your home apart from others in the neighborhood. When describing rooms, pay attention to details like solid oak flooring or woodwork. Write to the prospect as if you were writing to a good friend.

Keep your brochure holder full at all times. don’t be upset when nosy neighbors pick up your flyers. Most of the time, your neighbors know friends that they wouldn’t mind living next door or nearby. And your friends will usually be able to afford a house in your neighborhood. Be sure to go out and tell them to pass the brochure to someone they know.

Distribute the brochure freely to prospects looking for your home. This will ensure that they will remember home. After all, they are most likely looking for more than just your property. Color photos will help in this.

And don’t forget about your co-workers. Give them your brochures too. After all, you find it comfortable to live in your house and they know it. You work with them and you can afford to live there. Chances are they have friends who would find a similar living arrangement enjoyable. Ask them to pass the brochure on to you if they know someone who is looking for a great home.

The Internet

You can’t ignore the internet when you’re selling your own FSBO home. The Internet has become an important search option for potential home buyers.

There are several websites on the Internet that will allow you to post your FSBO listing. These will vary in price and options for your listing ad. Some will allow you to post photos and update information at your personal open house. You’ll find prices start at $25 per month and up. Be sure to carefully research your options.

You can also create your own listing website to refer prospects as well. As with your brochure, make this website more of a personal sales letter and include a form to capture contact information for later follow-up.

Make sure you pay for your website hosting. For some reason, free websites don’t grab the attention of prospects like real websites do. Hosting can range from $3.95/mo to $19.95/mo. You don’t need much from your website, so go for the cheapest package as long as it allows you to post a contact form on your site.

open houses

If the above suggestions don’t market your home quickly and lead to a sale, you still have the option of hosting your own open house. In many localities, home owner sales are boosted by having an open house. If you are in a hot or cold market location, this can be a great tool for selling your home.

Of course, you will have to announce that you will have an open house. This can be achieved using any of the above techniques. Some local newspapers have a special section in their classifieds just for open houses. Be sure to put up a large sign on your lawn the day you have your open house. This will alert others to the event and make it easy for people to find your home.

The above tips should make it easy to sell your home quickly. It takes time and some money to market your home ‘For Sale By Owner’. But you’ll save money on real estate agent commissions and have more control over your transaction. Be sure to check the laws in your area and the forms you’ll need to close the deal.