Make The Title Catchy and As Short As Possible
You want to include the best feature of the home in the title, but keep it short. You want potential buyers to continue reading, not just skim over the title and go on to the next for sale by owner ad. Make the title bold, and feel free to use underlining or italics when describing your home's best feature.
Include 3 Other Great Features Of The Home In Your Ad
Don't give away everything. Let potential buyers know why they NEED to come inside your home - mention three features that you like the most - or better yet, that your friends or family members like the most. Let buyers know there are more features but you simply don't have the room or time to put it in the ad. This will create a sense of curiosity and most importantly, a sense of urgency.
Mention The Incentives That You're Offering - And Your Competition Is Not
Are you offering a free gas card? Or generic gift card with an offer? Let them know that if they write an accepted offer before a certain date, you are willing to reward them. Potential buyers, in this market
are looking for everything they can get their hands on because they know that they are in control. Offer them something inexpensive and useful - a $200 gas card, although relatively inexpensive, can go a long way. Keep in mind that you don't actually have to purchase this incentive until AFTER you close the deal.
Leave Solid Contact Information With A Strong Call To Action
Make sure to include your cell phone number or a website address - either will work just fine. If you have a cell phone make sure it is on ALL DAY and try to never miss a call. People want information as soon as their hunger starts, and if you aren't there to answer they will just move on to the next ad and call someone else with answers. Make sure to make a lasting impression with them - mention recent updates, incentives, just reduced pricing, etc. Mention why you love your home and how proud you are of it, but don't go overboard. Remind them that it is realistically priced and you did your proper due diligence before placing your home on the market.
If you have a website, be sure to place an opt-in form on it - this is where they can place their name and email address and receive some free information. Perhaps a property brochure, an inspection report,
an appraisal or CMA (Competitive Market Analysis - typically done by a Realtor), etc. Make it enticing so you can capture their contact information and email them within 24 hours to ask if they need any further assistance.
Include The Asking Price And Mention "Already Reduced" In Your Ad
Place the asking price a tiny bit higher than you are asking - and mention that it has been just reduced. This is a great call to action - either entice them to call the number listed or entice them to log on to your home's website for more information on the "just reduced" price. This will create even more sense of curiosity and urgency in the reader.
Please don't take these for sale by owner ad tips lightly - many people become overwhelmed with too many steps during during the listing process and forget that they are spending hard-earned money on their ads and often times rush through them. Take your time as this is the "gateway" into your home. Without a well-written, creative and enticing ad, chances are you won't get any phone calls or visitors to your website. These 5 for sale by owner ad tips, if followed closely, will improve your chances of creating interest and physically getting buyers into your home.
By Sean Patrick II who provides a complete Sell By Owner guide, created for the FSBO.
Posted April 17th, 2009 by Armen Hareyan
