Market Aggressively for a Quicker Sale

More and more individuals are trying their hand at selling their own home without the assistance of a real estate agent. For-sale-by-owner (FSBO) properties do sell, but owners must make a more concerted effort to bring about a successful sale. What comes naturally to a real estate agent probably won't be quite as easy for you. If you're thinking of selling on your own, here are some tips to help you market your property more effectively:

1. Advertise in the newspaper. Yes, people still actually read newspapers on a daily basis. Be sure to place an ad in the Sunday edition of the paper as well; people generally have more time to browse each page on Sundays than on any other day throughout the week.

2. Invest in a yard sign. If you live in a higher-profile neighborhood, potential buyers probably ride through on the weekends to see if there are any houses up for sale. Thus, a simple yard sign can increase the traffic to your home. The sign should include your contact information in case potential buyers don't have the time to stop.

3. If needed, get help writing ads. The trick is to give the best impression of your home in the fewest words. Most ads use the same wording and abbreviations. Try for something a bit more unique. One technique is to 'show' your house in the ad. For example, instead of stating the family room is a certain square footage, say that the house has a "spacious great room." This will mean different things to different buyers, and that's exactly what you want. It will entice them to check out the house to see if it meets their expectations.

4. Advertise on the Internet. An ever-increasing number of people are searching for homes on the Internet. It's quicker, more convenient, and you can set the search parameters to satisfy your needs. Pictures are also often included on Internet ads. They give a potential buyer a chance to see the house, or at least a few rooms of it. But don't give too many; you want the buyer to actually visit the house and not just shop with the listing on the Web.

5. Dress your home. Nothing says "I’m a hot commodity" like a well-dressed home. Home stagers are artistic professionals who come in after you've cleaned and de-cluttered to the house. They use their talents to create a mood and theme for your home. Buyers are often taken aback by the ambiance. (Remember, houses are generally sold on emotion.)

6. Hold an Open House. This is a chance for you to tell anyone who'll listen all about your home. Send the kids over to a friend's house or babysitter and get to work. Warmly welcome potential buyers into your home. And, be sure to prepare a sign-in sheet so that you can follow up with them later.

Although not extremely easy, effective marketing is not drastically difficult, either. If you're truly interested in selling, you can express that to potential buyers who may be interested in buying a home like yours. Try one, two, or all of these tips to get started, and sell that home.