Selling a home involves a great deal of paperwork, from the submission of counterproposals, the sales agreement to the home warranties, appraisals and, not forgetting, print ads. Advertising your home is one of the most effective ways to attract potential buyers and doing it the traditional way is still a tried and tested option. This means placing advertisements in the local newspapers in your area.
Home sellers must advertise their home to as many targeted home buyers as possible, and the newspaper is a popular medium for doing so. Despite the influx of electronic media, it is still a preferred place to advertise a home for sale. In fact, even non-subscribers will typically get a copy of the Sunday newspaper to read the classified ads.
When writing newspaper ad copy, there are some guidelines you can follow to be successful in engaging your target audience. Your newspaper ad must be hard-sell, simple and concise. Depending on your budget, you can place a short ad or a longer ad with a photograph of the house you are selling.
The headline itself should attract attention. Determine the most important and attractive aspect of the home and describe them in short, catchy words. Some examples would be a lovely spacious home, a luxury urban condo, a beautiful secret garden, and a secluded hideaway. An example of a specific title would be “Charming lakeside home with pristine forest.”
Your print ad copy or copy has to be attractive, of course. It should easily grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to take action. Keep your copy short and to the point, but never make the mistake of abbreviating words or using too much detail in just three lines to save money.
When describing the house for sale, avoid too many specific facts, especially numbers, such as those related to the area of the house or the area of the lot. Instead, use general terms to convey the same message, such as a large house or a spacious living room.
Use descriptive adjectives to allow potential readers and buyers to imagine the house they might be living in. Describe the qualities of the home, such as its architectural design, layout and flow, special amenities and improvements made, entertainment options, and nearby attractions.
Remember to also specify the exact location, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the sale price, and your contact information. Putting pricing information at the top of the ad is also a good way to attract serious buyers. You can then mention if your price is negotiable or if financing is available. Some people forget these important details and, as a result, they simply miss a good opportunity.
Magazine advertising has some drawbacks compared to newspaper ads. This option is unlikely to produce an immediate buyer, and in fact, it may take your home several months before you get results. Also, few people ever read their magazines again. Magazine advertising is ideal if you have a small target audience.
So your best bet is to combine newspaper classifieds with online advertising to reach as many buyers as possible. Keep in mind that your goal is to increase people’s interest in your home and to deepen your offering.