| Did you know that one out of three FSBO sellers sell | | | | on the open market. Neighbors love to visit these. |
| their house to someone they already know? So if you | | | | Even if they are just being nosy, they may know |
| are selling your house for sale by owner make sure to | | | | someone perfect for your house. You can hire a |
| put the proper energy into your grass roots, | | | | neighborhood kid to pass out flyers for you. Increase |
| neighborhood marketing. | | | | your attendance by having refreshments. You can |
| Even if you are certain you want to list with an agent, | | | | make it an early going away party for yourself! |
| it wouldn't hurt to do this first for a week or two and | | | | BANDIT SIGNS - Besides the professional sign at your |
| see if you could sell your house yourself and save the | | | | house, you can also put up bandit signs at highly visible |
| commission. | | | | spots in your area. This type of sign is very effective. |
| So here is what I consider an effective grass roots | | | | They aren't supposed to be beautiful, but they sure |
| marketing campaign that is virtually free, besides. | | | | attract a lot of attention. |
| WORD OF MOUTH MARKETING - The easiest free | | | | There are three sources for these - if you are in a |
| advertising is to tell everyone you know. Always | | | | hurry, you can buy white coroplast signs from |
| mention and honor that you will give a referral gift to | | | | hardware stores for about $10 each. Personally, I |
| whoever brings you a buyer (someone who actually | | | | wouldn't spend this much money on them. I get them |
| buys your house). | | | | online for about $1 each. It's OK to use the inexpensive |
| SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING - If you belong to any | | | | H-wires for these. Get a jumbo width permanent |
| of the social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, | | | | marker. Plan on 10 minutes to write each sign. I use an |
| MySpace, etc., especially if you already have a | | | | online site where I order eye-catching bandit signs that |
| presence on these sites, mention your house. | | | | look hand written but aren't for less than $4 each. This |
| SELL WITH YOUR PHONE MESSAGES - Change | | | | saves you the trouble of printing up extra signs. |
| any cute or unusual messages on any of your phones | | | | If you live in an area where there are enforced |
| temporarily. No kids, weird music, or jokes. You need to | | | | anti-bandit sign laws, skip this idea. |
| sound professional so people will want to deal with | | | | HANDMADE POSTERS - Buy some neon colored, 8 |
| you. Change your voice mail greetings on your land line | | | | x 11 paper and make a poster. These are the "lost |
| and cell phones to mention "If you are calling about my | | | | dog" type of signs. They need to have big, readable |
| house for sale....". and leave a glowing description of | | | | lettering, no pictures. Put these on light poles and |
| your house. | | | | telephone poles, and at bus stops, with duct tape, push |
| DO AN EMAIL BLAST - You can send an email blast | | | | pins, or packing tape. |
| to your friends and family with an attachment of your | | | | Go around your local area with some pushpins and |
| great looking flyer and ask them to pass it along. Offer | | | | tape in hand and put your flyers up on bulletin boards in |
| a referral gift here, too. | | | | grocery stores, coffees shops, where you work - |
| Add your marketing phone number, email, and website | | | | anywhere you can post. |
| to your email signature, along with a quick blurb about | | | | LOCAL NEWSLETTERS - Does your workplace, |
| your house being for sale so you don't forget to tell | | | | church, club or membership organization have a |
| anybody. | | | | newsletter or other printed communication? Advertise |
| PROPERTY INFORMATION FLYERS - Design an | | | | there for sure. People love to deal with those who are |
| attractive property flyer and have flyers in a brochure | | | | part of their community. |
| box. Pass this same flyer out to your neighbors only | | | | Whether selling FSBO or using an agent, why not do a |
| make it a "Choose Your Neighbor" flyer! Who doesn't | | | | grass roots marketing campaign before listing on |
| have a friend or family member they would love to | | | | MLS? You can market aggressively for a week or |
| have as a neighbor? | | | | two and see what happens. You might just be one of |
| HAVE A PRE-SALE OPEN HOUSE - Consider having | | | | the lucky one-in-three that can sell their house this way. |
| a "pre-sale" open house. Invite your people you know, | | | | What have you got to lose? |
| especially your neighbors, before you put your house | | | | |