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ARE YOU A CRAIGSLIST FAN?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Midamerica Referral Network

 

Can someone explain how Craigslist generates so much traffic?  I had read comments here on AR about Craigslist, but easily discounted them as more trouble than it was worth.  

 

listHowever, at the encouragement of others in Shell Knob, I finally got with the program and put my listings on Postlets and Craigslist.    Boy, was I wrong!  

 

I had seven inquiries in the first 24 hours after listing!

 

 My question for you Craigslist participants, is how many of your leads do you actually convert and can prove, to Craigslist?

 

I had been receiving one or two leads a week from AR, and can attribute 4 or 5 sales last year to it, but the AR leads have been non existent this spring.  It could be attributed to our flood problems here in the Ozarks, or the constant drum beat of the media on recession and housing collapse.

Comments (21)

Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Joan.. I have heard wonderful things about Craig's List.  I have listed homes on this site, but have yet to receive even "1" inquiry. 

Apr 26, 2008 08:44 AM
Kimberly Grant
Exit Leon Crawford Realty - Huntsville, AL
Real Estate Agent - Huntsville Alabama
I never really got with the CL movement either.  I think it might have been because I did not take the time to really learn about it.  Everytime I post something by the time I return its so much other stuff listed that mine was no where to be found.  I just didnt want to be posting the same thing three to four times a week just to get someone to see it.  I figure if I took the time to watch it I could determine the best time/day to post but I haven't so far.
Apr 26, 2008 08:46 AM
Peter Nikic
Broad & Bailey Realty LLC - Valhalla, NY

Joan - craigslist has been around for a long time. it is segmented to local areas, but has national recognition. it is very simple to use with no catches. I've been using it for 8 years (effectively).

In other words, it works.

Apr 26, 2008 08:47 AM
Ida McCarthy
Ida McCarthy-Lombard Real Estate - Lombard, IL
Joan - I do put all my listings on there, but not a call yet.  Free advertising though, can't beat it.  If you use postlets, you just need to provide the link, so it's not so time consuming.  
Apr 26, 2008 08:54 AM
April Hayden-Munson
Brookfield, WI
Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate
I have posted to Craigslist and not gotten a response.  Many times my listings have been flagged.
Apr 26, 2008 09:19 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Yes I am.  From one listing I sold over 1.5M of real estate to other buyers.  I post all the time!
Apr 26, 2008 09:34 AM
The Dave Ruwe Homes Team
Re/Max Lakeshore - Grand Haven, MI
Realtors

Hi Joan, I put all of my listings on CL. I have had a few calls, but no transactions. My listing do get viewed alot on CL....so if nothing else I am getting my listings the proper exposure. I wish I knew if any of the listing sold actually resulted from CL.

Dave     Keller Williams Realty      www.daveruwehomes.com

Apr 26, 2008 09:46 AM
Steven Simmons and Marti Schmidt
John L Scott Ocean Shores - Ocean Shores, WA
Ocean Shores Real Estate www.theoceaniscalling.com
April-it may be that a jealous competitor is flagging your postings.  Make sure you are complying with terms of service also.  Good luck!
Apr 26, 2008 11:05 AM
Doug Fritchie
DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc. - Portland, OR
Hey Joan~ I for one have no clue on how they get so much traffic on Craigs list but as you and I both know...they do.
Apr 26, 2008 12:01 PM
Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Joan - I am a huge fan of CL  and post every few days. HOWEVER, I find that I get a better response when I create the post in CL vs. using Postlets, vFlyer, etc.

I posted an "agents wanted" ad a month or so ago. A gentleman called me, said he didn't want to be an agent, but he did want to buy property! So you never know!

Apr 26, 2008 03:27 PM
Seraina Aguayo
Respect Realty, LLC - Milwaukie, OR
Realtor/Broker, GRI
Yes!  I am a huge fan of CL.  I have had many visitors attend my open houses with this free advertising and to date I have had absolutely no visitors come as a result of my "paid-for" local newspaper.  The great thing too about this free post is that it is a wonderful vehicle for pointing consumers to your other listings.  I actually received a listing from CL recently and a successful lease option!
May 03, 2008 12:04 AM
Anonymous
Anne
Guys you have to repost your listings every two to three days. As you know they cycle down the older they are....you are more likely to be found when you repost. I got two calls yesterday.
May 03, 2008 02:52 AM
#14
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Yes, it drives real foot traffic to my listings.
May 03, 2008 02:58 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,
I actually sold a house once to people who saw it on Craig's List. Most, however, of the contacts I get from it are nonsense- people wanting to "steal a deal".
May 03, 2008 06:00 AM
Lisa Curt
Palm Breeze Realty, LLC - Nokomis, FL

I admit I'm not an avid poster on Craigslist (too many other sites out there that I don't have to 'keep' posting to) even though I like the free advertising.  I did sell a home to some buyers as a result of them inquiring about one of the listings I posted on Craigslist, even though it wasn't that particular property. So, I consider it worth the few minutes it takes to upload the post.

Once you receive the link from Craigslist, it's just a matter of every few days opening the email sent and clicking on the link. Pretty easy free advertising.

May 03, 2008 08:59 AM
Jason & Deanna
Breckenridge, CO
Joan, I agree with the others that CL is great exposure for our clients. However Deanna and I have been using it for a while now and cannot attribute any sales or even an inquiry from it. One of our posts was flagged and I found it strange because we use nearly the same format and wording on every post. I sure it was a competitor. One problem may be for us we have no local craig's list here in the mountain communities of Colorado so we have to post under Denver. Good luck and keep us informed of how it is working for you.
May 03, 2008 09:13 AM
Selling Homes in Western New York, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Terri Kern
Turning Key Realty - East Amherst, NY
Terri Kern, Broker, Turning Key Realty
I have not used it yet, but have worked with a few buyers that called me and told me they found a home on craig list and could I show it to them.  Most of the homes they would call me about were FSBO's.  These wre buyers that I was already working with.  Let us know how it works out for you.
May 03, 2008 03:17 PM
Doug Fritchie
DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc. - Portland, OR
Hey Joan~There is something about Craigs List that just brings them out of the woodwork. I don't know how it works but it just works.
May 03, 2008 04:09 PM
Joan Snodgrass
Midamerica Referral Network - Kimberling City, MO
Thanks for all the great info and tips everyone.  So far, I've had 10 inquiries (emails) in the week since I've posted.  Two of them sound like they are really looking.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Sure is interesting way to broadcast properties.
May 04, 2008 06:10 AM
Neal Barnes
Starstate Realty - Killeen, TX
Broker, REALTOR, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS.

Hi Joan -- I am becoming a Craigslist fan.  Thanks.  I look forward to networking with you.  Have A Great Day!!!

Jul 11, 2008 04:45 PM