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Where Do You Want the Sign Placed? Not… Do You Want a Sign?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

 

 

Where Do You Want the Sign Placed?    Not… Do You Want a Sign?

 

I just commented on John Elwell's  post  "To Post a Sign or Not to Post a Sign When Selling Your Home? Think Carefully! stating: I could have made a blog out of this: So I am going to do just that!

 

                                            HomeRome Realty

 

 

 

 

A few years ago, I received a call from a seller who did some research andnoticed that I had some difficult to sell properties. After obtaining the addressI was not sure about the neighborhood but was intrigued because this property (with a bit of acreage, one nice little house, and one dilapidated house) had been on the market for an extremely long time. We are talking about a couple of years with no showings, no offers, no luck. The owners were frustrated and ready to give up.

 This was one of those times when TLH was ordered requested to ride along to chauffeur me since the seller was not known to me. Not ever going to meet anyone at a vacant property!

Thought this might be a long shot...must be grossly overpriced... but one that was  worth looking at. You know I like a challenge.

Seeing the potential in this property and a desire to work with this family, we came to an agreement.  In doing my listing presentation I asked  where they would like the sign placed...notice I did not ask IF they wanted one?

 With their previous agent they chose not to post a sign!  " Why"?  I asked? They responded: "We are afraid that it might bring attention to a vacant property."  Duh! We want attention ! We want the whole world to know the property is available for sale.

After evaluating this unique property, I found the previous price to be reasonable even though the sellers expected a huge price reduction. The owners signed up for my usual 12 month  Listing the Rome Way and my job began.

There was the measuring, copy for my blog and website, photos, MLS posting, color brochures, my print advertising and a notification to the sign company.

Not only did I have numerous calls immediately but had the adjacent neighbors (a church) callalmost the minute the sign went in the dirt. This congregation had been praying that this perfect property would be available.

They had no idea how to reach the seller. This adjacent acreage was for their playground and the small home was needed to house a church member. The dilapidated home was perfect for their storage needs.  This unique and challenging property was SOLD within the week for FULL LIST PRICE!

Sure convinced me, once again, of a sign's importance.

Where Do You Want the Sign Placed?    Not...Do You Want a Sign?

 

  mrome@HomeRome.com

  410-530-2400

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Marc, Thanks for stopping by.

Christine, Those small things do count.

Tom, Why don't you use sign other than new construction.

Green Mountain, We have to be aware of sign ordinaces.

Kristin, What a fun comment!

May 25, 2010 11:21 PM
Eric Anderson
Eric Anderson Realty Group - Fayetteville, NC
Fort Bragg Military Relocation Services, Fayettevi

I would have to agree, signs are truly important, it can make people who aren't aware of all the different purchasing avenues aware.

May 26, 2010 04:38 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Eric, You are so right about the importance of signs.

May 26, 2010 08:23 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I agree signs are important. Some HOAs do not allow sale signs and do not realize it can bring down values because many buyers drive by neighborhoods to see which areas they like and call on the signs.

May 26, 2010 11:12 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Gita, About half of my listings are either condos/coops/HOA townhomes.  Thank goodness for blogging and internet presence.

May 27, 2010 03:06 AM
Jill Schmidt
Aurora, CO

What a great story, congratulations.  Yes, signs are important.  (And, who is TLH?)  It's also a good illustration that a sign is good for the SELLER (in case someone thinks it is just for advertising the realtor).

May 27, 2010 05:40 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

jill, The Lovely Husband..a spin off of Bryant Broker and TLW.

May 27, 2010 11:08 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

Congratulations on the success.  A sign can definitely be an asset.  I prefer to put a sign in a yard but I do enjoy subdivisions that have rules and regs against them.

May 27, 2010 12:19 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Damon, Signs are an asset when they are allowed.

 

May 27, 2010 02:44 PM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Margaret...Signs are get attention getters and that's what for sale properties need.  Sometimes people have had there eye on a house that really appeals to them.  Without the sign they might never even know it is available.

Your post is a great tool to help convince a seller reluctant to give the OK.

Kate

May 27, 2010 03:53 PM
Wendy Rulnick
Rulnick Realty, Inc. - Destin, FL
"It's Wendy... It's Sold!"

Margaret - Your story is the perfect illustration of how every detail matters in listings....  Congratulations!

May 28, 2010 11:28 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kate, Thanks for your comment and your email was greatly appreciated.

Wendy, A lot of what we do is in the details...they make up the big picture.

Margaret

May 28, 2010 11:38 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Hi Margaret!  I have a listing right now that refuses a sign.  No flyer box either.  The neighborhood is not the greatest and they are afraid of vandalism.  Of course I don't get much calls because they were driving by...

May 28, 2010 03:32 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Evelyn, Hope the second agent does not get permission to place a sign.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

May 28, 2010 03:36 PM
Bill Travis
Captain Bill Realty, LLC - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner

Margaret, the AZ Listing Agreement has a paragraph that states:  " Broker is authorized to place Broker's appropriate signs on the Premises until the later of any close of escrow by a purchaser or occupancy by a tenant. "

I just point that out as we go through the agreement. If they don't want a sign then we will discuss it, and if they insist then I'll change the contract to say no sign.

That happened on a recent listing. The client had a good reason so I complied iwth here wishes.

May 29, 2010 02:57 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Val, Our listing agreement has similar wording:

 

" MARKETING/MLS/INTERNET ADVERTISEMENT:  
(a) Broker is authorized to and shall market the Property, (including street name and house number), including, but not limited to, entering the Property into the Metropolitan Regional Information System, Inc. ("MRIS"), installing a sign, ..."

May 29, 2010 10:28 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Hi Margaret!  I think the sign is very important too!  Have a wonderful weekend!

May 29, 2010 04:24 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Susan, Hope you enjoy this special weekend also!

May 30, 2010 02:13 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Why any Seller would not want a sign is beyond me. Now in those condominium complexes, getting past the HOAs can be a problem when placing signs on the property.

Jun 01, 2010 01:12 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Russel,

HOAs and Condos...no getting past them. Any suggestions?

Jun 01, 2010 01:32 PM