Property Sales Using Online Advertising

With a little time and effort, marketing your property sale using online advertising can be very successful. The use of an online property profile at a high traffic Real Estate listing website combined with a newspaper classified ad can improve exposure to your sale tremendously. In any Real Estate marketing plan it is recommended that you exercise multiple marketing options to reach as many qualified buyers as possible.

Advertising your private property sale online and in local newspapers can go a long way to getting prospective buyer’s attention and improving exposure to your sale. According to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, 24% of new Property buyers first heard about their new property from the Internet and 5% from newspaper classified ads.

Having an online ad and a classified ad in local newspapers are clearly excellent ways to reach potential buyers.

Advertising Tips & Guidelines:

The key to successfully getting the right attention with an online ad is to sell the buyer by carefully making them curious enough to want to learn more about your property. Most buyers will want to know three things right away:

- The asking price
- The location
- The number of bedrooms

Your ad needs to get them interested enough to take a more in depth look at your offer. Don’t give so much information that buyers are immediately able to eliminate your property from consideration. For example, if your property needs repairs, leave that information out of the ad, as its inclusion will often result in your listing being crossed off the potential buyer’s list even though they would be interested if they were actually shown the property in person.

Be direct and to-the-point. Start your ad with the price to immediately attract the serious shoppers. This is also, where you mention if the price is negotiable or if financing is available. “Financing Available " will appeal to serious shoppers since this is often the most confusing and difficult part of the buying process.

It’s encouraging for the potential buyer to know that the party selling the property is working towards pre-qualifying prospective buyers. If you’re working with a lender that’s willing to pre-qualify, especially if they’re a lender that can get the buyer a good rate, be sure to mention this as well. Highlight this fact by citing "Excellent Financing" or "Affordable Financing" is available.

Working with a lender is especially advantageous if you’re getting calls from shoppers only attracted to low down-payment options. Send those prospects directly to your lender, explaining the property is only being shown to buyers that have met with the lender.

Some buyers won’t be willing to do this, but you can rest-assured those that will are serious, qualified prospects that are truly ready to purchase your property. Take down the name of the lender if someone is claiming to already have been pre-qualified and be sure to verify the pre-qualification before proceeding. Don’t feel, however, that you have to provide financing options if you can’t or don’t want to - Your ad will still be effective either way.

In addition to your price and terms, the first line of the ad should also include the property’s location. Since many prospective buyers only thumb through  ads, it’s essential your ad is accurate, albeit not too specific. The goal is to get the prospect interested enough to visit the property for themselves. It is important to remember that in most cases buyers will only look at houses in their price range and preferred location.

The next area of your ad should provide the specific characteristics of the property . In the case of a house or condo for sale, start off stating the number of bedrooms. Then make reference to garage/parking spaces, backyard, fence, etc... Make sure you include newly renovated or remodelled areas and elements, as these often appeal to shoppers.

Other notable features to mention include a patio or fireplace. Amenities increase the interest of a prospect in your property. Do not detail every little thing you think is great about your property. Remember the old marketing adage "KISS" (Keep It Simple Stupid). What you think is good about your property does not always appeal to everyone. For example, a property close to the local mall may be convenient for you but others may associate it with noise and high-traffic surroundings. You certainly don’t want to clutter your ad with details that will make shoppers lose interest!
 
Focus on getting them to call you. They will see all the amazing things about your property soon enough.
 
Good Luck and Enjoy!