Even though 44% of recent buyers started their search for a new home online, "for sale" signs remain a popular form of advertising. Buyers in some markets slam on the brakes when they pass a house with a "for sale" sign. The question isn't whether you should have a sign in the yard—unless you want to keep the fact that your house is for sale a secret, which some sellers do—but whether you should have one. It's a question whether your "for sale" sign will generate interest in your home. The majority of sellers anticipate buyers contacting them for additional information. If you're selling the house yourself, a sign might entice a potential buyer to call immediately. The phone calls will be directed to your listing agent if you have hired one to list your home. A phone call is a great way to talk about all of your home's great features, which aren't always obvious from the street.
Important Points to Remember
- HOAs may restrict the placement of "for sale" signs.
- The brokerage's name, the office phone number and the agent's website are usually included on "for sale" signs.
- Instead of placing signs near your house, place them near a sidewalk or street.
The Different Types of 'For Sale' Signs
Some homeowner associations prohibit "for sale" signs from being placed in the yard, or the HOA may impose size and placement restrictions. Before putting a sign in your yard, if you live in a planned community, you should read your HOA regulations. 2 Note that standard "for sale" sign types vary depending on your local weather, the type of brokerage that has listed your home, and, in some cases, personal preference.Signs that say "For Sale by Owner"
Sellers who try to sell their homes without representation do not want to spend much money on signage. In fact, a lower-cost sign may work in their favor because a buyer may believe the seller is desperate to sell and that they can get a good deal. A "for sale by owner" (FSBO) sign can be purchased at a hardware store or online. Most of these signs are made of metal or plastic and staked or wired into the ground.'For Sale' Signs from Real Estate Agents
Small signs with stakes pounded into the ground or larger sign panels hanging from a signpost are the two most common types. Signage can be made of various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. Sandwich boards are cheap, but they're small enough that a child might take them.Content of a 'For Sale Sign
A realtor's sign will attract a buyer's attention while promoting the real estate brokerage and agent. It could include the following:- The name of the firm
- The phone number for the office with the area code
- URL of the website
- Symbol of the business
- Address of the Brokerage
- URL for viewing a virtual online tour
- Timetable of open houses
- The asking price in detail
- Discounts of any kind
- The slogan for the area
- Home warranties and other buyer benefits
- Name and contact information for the agent
- Name and contact information for a co-agent
- The number of bedrooms in a house, for example, is an important feature to consider.
- QR codes are unique codes that can be used to identify.
- Other methods of getting in touch with the right people
- The "for sale" sign should be easily visible from the street. Make sure your sign isn't blocked by parked cars, trees, or telephone poles.
- Placing the "for sale" sign near the sidewalk or street rather than close to the house appears to be less intrusive.
- If your house is on a corner, consider putting up signs on both sides of the street to attract traffic from both directions.
- You might ask homeowners who live on a busy street if you can put a directional sign in their yard for out-of-the-way homes, such as those on secluded streets or in an area where traffic is limited.
Taking Down 'For Sale' Signs
Problems can arise when a listing agreement with one agent expires, and the seller signs a new listing agreement with another. It's possible that the first agent will be hesitant or take a long time to take down his sign. A delay could result in more calls for the recently fired agent. Warning: We don't recommend yanking the sign out of the yard yourself. However, if calling the brokerage results in a dead end, you may have no choice but to do so. A buyer contacting your former listing agent is the absolute last thing you want to happen. When agents lose listings, it's common for them to become resentful. If a buyer accidentally calls your former agent, that agent may try everything in his or her power to persuade the buyer not to view your home. Some sign companies will not go onto the private property after a home closes to look for a sign that the buyer has taken down. It is generally best to leave the sign in place until the sign company retrieves it, rather than pulling it to stick in a garage or by the side of the house.