If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just ask Semone Duerr.
The sales representative for Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd — and one half of the Duerr Team — has been a real estate agent for more than 20 years and has embraced new real estate marketing technology for all it can provide – from ads on social media to virtual tours.
But, she still sees value and beauty in the old ways as well, which is why she's the perfect agent to answer this week's question.
Are you required to put a For Sale sign on your lawn?
Because it's your property, there is no law requiring you to put up a For Sale sign. You can do whatever you want and we as agents have to do what you wish.
But though it isn't required, you should still consider putting up a sign.
The benefit to having a For Sale sign on your lawn is it exposes your property to more people.
READ: This Is The For Sale Sign Of The Future So Keep Your Phone Handy
Often times, a neighbour will bring their friends and family out to look at your property because they want them to be able to live nearby. If the sign is not there and they don't know it's for sale, they surely can't advertise your house.
A sign on the lawn gives buyers an idea of what's available in close proximity. And it may actually put the idea of buying in people's minds. For example, someone might consider buying your home as an investment property because it's right down the street. For the seller, it exposes people to your property who might not see it otherwise.
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
If I'm out visiting family and I drive through the Beaches, I might see a For Sale sign and think, 'Oh, I never thought about living here'. I pull out my phone, look at the price and see that I can actually afford it....in an area I would have never thought affordable. Social media can't give your property that kind of incidental exposure. People aren't always going to be at their computers and you need other ways to reach them when they're out and about.
Having a For Sale sign on your lawn can't replace targeted marketing through social media or putting your listing online. Really, you should be doing all those things and more.
READ: Real Estate Marketing And Promotion Ideas, Like This Video, Are Winning On Social Media
When I list someone's property, my main goal is to market it as much as possible to expose it to the most people. The more people that know about it, the better it is for my client. I'm working for my client, trying to get the best price, so I'm trying to get it out to everybody.
As part of that strategy, I'm even combining new technology with terrestrial signage right in front of passersby. Every one of my listings has it's own domain name and virtual tour. The website is right there on the For Sale sign so people know they can go online, do the virtual tour and look at that home.
You need both new and old technology in marketing home listings, there's no question about that.
