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Craigslist Real Estate There were 335,126 real estate listings on Craigslist in the month of March. Sellers, whether private or working as an agent, have the advantage of complete access to all property listings on the site. We'll review the benefits of posting effective listings on the site, what the actual listing should look like, and how this will attract customers.
Currently the following types of property are listed on Craigslist in the real estate category: Homes, apartments, commercial property, land, and vacation homes. The real estate category is also a haven for renters, however, for this section is written specifically for those selling property.
In order to effectively market the property listing, the following must be taken into account: location, economic demographics, reputation (if you're a local agent), and customer knowledge. Fortunately, this information already exists on the site.
An example of a successful real estate listing looks like the following:
Title: Midtown Historic Condo 1 Bed - 1 Bath $172900 - Midtown Historic Condo 1 Bed - 1 Bath ________________________________________ Charming Midtown Condo PHONE 678-555-1212 100 Piedmont Ave. # 4008 Atlanta, GA 30309 $172,900 *** AGENTS PROTECTED*** -1 bedroom, 1 bath -Fully renovated kitchen -Wood floors throughout -Deeded off-street parking -Owned security system -Spacious Balcony -Plenty of storage -2 blocks from Piedmont Park / Restaurants & Entertainment -Washer/Dryer hook up -Low association fees ($180 per month)
Walk to the park or simply enjoy relaxing on your charming balcony overlooking a quiet side street. This corner unit features a fabulous new kitchen, French doors, and loads of storage in a circa 1915 building boasting a beautiful courtyard and period details. Must see inside! XXX-XXX-XXXX **Agents protected**
First of all, the posting title is short, straightforward, and tells a potential buyer what type of building it is and the asking price. Further reviewing reveals nothing fancy...which is exactly what works on Craigslist. Real estate is not a creative category and showy ads don't necessarily create interest. This particular ad includes flattering photographs, easy to follow bullets detailing the condo's characteristics, location, and the agent's contact information. Quick, efficient, and telling all at the same time.
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Take a look at an example ad that could be found in a Las Vegas, Nevada real estate listing:
Title: *************Las Vegas ITALIAN Beauty***************** $1549000 - *************Las Vegas ITALIAN Beauty***************** ________________________________________ THE ULTIMATE FEEL OF ITALY! with an UNBELIEVABLE TROPICAL BACKYARD PARADISE!!! Designed like a 1 STOREY with only a 2nd Master BR UPSTAIRS overlooking an INCREDIBLE VIEW of the STRIP from its large balcony. 250K in Upgrades, High 25ft Cath Ceilings New Decor Paint In/Out. Volleyball, Basketball,Tetherball, 45x25 Playset. ENTERTAINERS HEAVEN! Sq Ft. doesn’t incl Finished Pool/ spare Rm w/F/bath. Custom cabinets, SS Appls, Viking Prof Stove, New 7"bsbrd,Central Vac,Water Softener/Filter,Alarm/Intercom, Buyer to verify all measurements. Use our preferred lender/ XXX XXX @XXX-XXXX/receive $5000 toward closing costs. This house has it all! A MUST SEE! www.XXXX.com for photos & tour Las Vegas MLS #XXX zip-code XXXXX Call XXX @(XXX) XXX-XXXX
A first read doesn't reveal much. The first sentence suggests the home is in Italy! The copy is unorganized, overemphasized in areas, and includes a number of spelling and grammatical errors. Plus with no pictures, how can a buyer be sure the home is really all it says it is. While you don't have to be an English professor to write a successful ad, the rushed script and over-hyped description gives the impression that the sellers want to get rid of the home as quickly as possible, while not being in tune with the client's needs.
Conversion is the ultimate goal of anyone selling property, and these guidelines will convince the market that your ads are credible and worth calling on. While 100% conversion isn't realistic, exposure and complimentary marketing is. Appealing ads may not always close a deal, but they'll bring in viewers and create buzz. Take advantage of the increased exposure to promote other properties, open houses, or additional services like finance options, or property facelifts.
TIPS AND TRICKS: CROSS PROMOTION & REAL ESTATE · Provide a link to additional properties and/or open houses · Include contact information for mortgage and loan services · Recommend a moving business · Sell items that are cluttering up your garage
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