Signs: They are all over the place

I've noticed that signs are all over the place:   business signs, school signs, government office signs, real estate for sale signs, rental signs, campaign signs, garage sale signs, missing dog signs, work wanted signs....you name it, there is a sign for it.  Some signs are very nice; others are junkie.  Note:  The signs in the pictures are NOT my signs.  They are simply photographs that I took. 

I've noticed all of these signs because I've been trying to decide what type of sign that I want to use for the real estate office that I am in the process of opening in Colorado Springs.   Since I have opted to NOT go with a franchise, I have more options. 

To make this decision, I considered the following questions:

1.       What is the purpose/mission of the business?

2.       What is the purpose the real estate sign? 

3.       Are there any environmental factors that must be taken into account? 

4.       Who are my clients going to be? 

5.       Based on market research, whether it be formal research or informal research - what type of sign will appeal to my clients and prospective buyers?

I answered my questions in the following ways:

1.       Purpose of my real estate business:  Help sellers and buyers accomplish their real estate goals.  For sellers this means to help them sell their home/property for the best price in a reasonable amount of time.  For buyers this means, helping them locate and purchase the property that they want. 

 2.       What is the purpose of the real estate sign:  1) Let people know that the property is for sale.  If they are not personally interested in home, they may potentially tell other people about the home being for sale.   2)  Build name/brand recognition for my business. 

 3.       Environmental Factors:  In Colorado, it doesn't rain much.  So the ground is frequently dry and hard.  In the winter months, the ground is frozen.   Many homes have rocks in the front yard.  Additionally, some days it is very windy.  In some areas with on street parking, visibility of the sign may be an issue.     Many people in this area are very environmentally conscientious.  They recycle and might be turned off by the new "flier" signs that could only be used at one home.

Due to ground conditions here, I plan to use the post/beam sign whenever possible.  Not only do they look nicer, only one stake must be driven into the ground.  A quality brochure box will be attached to the post. 

 4.       Clients:  A large part of my market involves either older, more historical types of homes; homes that are outside the city limits, and/or homes with "extra-ordinary" surroundings.  

 5.       What type of signs will appeal to my prospective clients:  I believe that good old fashioned traditional signs will best appeal to both the sellers and the buyers.   If the prospective buyers are outside of the home, I want them to focus on the home itself and not my sign.   

They can obtain additional information about the home from a flier in the flier box.  (I've always been good at keeping my flier boxes filled because one of the services I provide is regular drive by's to check on the property, ensure there are fliers, determine if anything needs to be brought to the attention of the owners.   The flier box will be mounted to the post.  It will NOT be dangling from the sign as shown in the picture above.   

I'm also fully aware that most clients prefer to work with a well-known real estate company.  Since I own my office, I am not as concerned about my personal name recognition as I am about the brokerage name.  So, I do not plan on using any name riders.   

I hope my thinking process will maybe help someone that is needing to purchase signs for their business. 

Photographed,

written and posted by

Sondra Meyer CPA/Real Estate Broker

Star View Ranch, Real Estate & Financial Advisory Services

979-575-2700

"I am writing this post as an entry to the ActiveRain/Kodak Sign/Flyer Challenge and have a chance to win the Kodak ESP 6150 All-In-One Printer and ink!"