and restricted multiple listings to drive their sales.
In other words, if real estate brokers could all agree to stop
these ads, they would, in an attempt to tilt the playing field further in their favor and away
from you and other FSBO's. After all, ads for real estate are like one person, one vote.
The major brokerages do not get any leverage when their real estate ad is just like yours
and runs in the same place. Placing a weekend ad for real estate in your local newspaper
puts you on an equal footing with them. Needless to say, real estate companies do not like it.
Good Ads For Real Estate will have the following:
Location
A brief description of the house (brief, not bland)
Price
Telephone number
FSBO, (if this applies)
The Difference Between BLAND and BRIEF:
BLAND:
YOUR TOWN, 555 Main St. $310,000
Nice 3BR, 1.1BA.. 2.1c.gar.
FSBO (123)456-7890
BRIEF, but definitely not BLAND:
YOUR TOWN 555 Main St. $310,000
Updated Ranch! 3BR, 1.1BA, Eat-in Kit,
1stflr FamRm + Lndry, FinBsmt, 2.1c.gar.
FSBO (123)456-7890
A few extra words can make all of the difference.
REMEMBER, your goal with ads for real estate is to attract prospective buyers who want a house
like yours and can actually buy it. Don't overdo the description. No one is going to buy a
house without seeing it. The ad's job is to pique buyer's interest in order to get them to
see it.
NOTE: There is a small difference of opinion about whether to put your
actual address in ads for real estate.
PRO: Responses to your ad will be more selective. Only those people who are actually interested
in a house like yours in your house's location will respond. Also, by putting in your address
people can drive by and take a look so that when they call they actually want to see it.
CON: If you omit the address, you will be able to prescreen prospects because they will have
to phone to find out where the house is. You will also have a great opportunity to "talk up"
the great virtues of your house and get them "fired up" about how terrific it is.
Real estate brokers often leave out the address of a house because they want to pick up
new buyers just as much as they want to sell one particular house.
Although we believe it is a good idea to include your address in ads for real estate,
it really is a personal preference. It is important to do what you are going to be
comfortable with.
Abbreviations in Ads for Real Estate:
AC or A/C: air conditioning
BA: bathroom
BR: bedroom
3/1.1: three bedrooms, one bathroom and one powder room.
c. gar.: garage
DR: dining room
DIY: fixer upper for the do it yourselfer
FinBsmt: finished basement
flr: floor
fplc: fireplace
FSBO: for sale by owner
GrtRm: great room
hdwd: hardwood floors
Lndry: laundry
LR: living room
sf: square feet
see Real Estate Yard Signs.
