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Where are my Craigslist buyers? What do I need to do to get them back?

Has anyone else experienced a drop in activity with their posted listings on Craigslist? I haven't received the same number of hits and inquiries as last year with my postings on Craigslist. I'm targeting a different buyer this year with one of my listings - a young single professional seeking a place right outside Washington DC at an affordable price. I thought I would definitely find those potential buyers on CL. But the level of activity has been much lower than I expected.

I even put 2 versions of the listing on CL to see which would be more effective, but the results haven't shown anything.

Here is the first posting:

$165000 For Sale: Must-See Condo in Hyattsville (Hyattsville, MD)

Date: 2008-05-05, 10:44PM EDT

For All Your Real Estate Needs Throughout the Maryland/Washington DC/Northern Virginia Area

3450 Toledo Terrace
Hyattsville, MD 20782

MLS - PG6733752
List Price: $165000

Property Features:

Cherry wood floor in Dining Rm
Ceramic tile floors in Kitchen and Bathroom
New Bathroom with pedestal sink
New lighting fixtures
Warm, comfortable wall colors
Amenities include community pool, tennis courts
Private balcony

The Douge Team of Exit Realty Enterprises Pierre or Max Douge 11120 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 200 Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301-593-4811
Click To Email Me The Douge Team My Profile and Listings

OPEN HOUSE, APRIL 27th (12-4pm).The many upgrades (floors, bath, lighting, cable/internet access, paint) within the past 3 years make this condo enjoyable and comfortable to come home to. Appreciate the lifestyle of the Washington DC metropolitan area (walking distance to the Metro, shopping, restaurants) while living only minutes from the city.Also, take advantage of the close proximity to University of Maryland's College Park campus by taking in a game, attending classes or one of their many cultural events. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Directions to Property:
East-West Highway Towards Prince Georges Plaza, Turn Onto Toledo Terrace And Follow Around To The Seville. Also recommend online directions.

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This is the second:

$165000 Nicest Condo in Building!! (Hyattsville, MD)

Date: 2008-05-05, 9:40AM EDT

View this must-see condo and imagine yourself living in this modern, yet warm and comfortable unit. Appreciate the quality flooring (Cherry wood, ceramic tiles, berber carpet), recessed lighting, and convenient location to the Metro station, shopping and restaurants. Only minutes from Washington DC, in the heart of the Hyattsville redevelopment.

For more information and additional photos, visit The Douge Team or contact:

The Douge Team
Exit Realty Enterprises
http://www.thedougeteam.com/
301-593-4811
info@TheDougeTeam.com

Equal Housing Opportunity

I'm still huge fan of CL, but I think I may be missing something now. Which would you think should attract more attention? What could be done differently? Is it because there's too much inventory on the market that it gets lost among the other listings? Any insight that you can provide would be helpful. Thanks.

Posted by Max Douge on 05/05/2008 10:02 PM

Comments (14)

craigslist, marketing

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: How To Grow Your Real Estate Business
Post is included in group: Marketing for Cheapskates
Post is included in group: Marketing Using Craigslist

14 Comments on Where are my Craigslist buyers? What do I need to do to get them back?

Max, I have yet to see a serious buyer who can afford a home come from Craig's list!

05/05/2008 10:07 PM

by Jean Powers CRS,PMN,ASP Broker, Northern California (Windermere Welcome Home)

I think you are seeing the bad apples get onto CL and driving out all of the good ones. You just happen to be a good one

05/05/2008 10:07 PM

by Dave Woodson (Indigo Financial Group Inc.)

We noticed the same. I think as with with other media, the more Real Estate on CL, the less interest it generates.

05/05/2008 10:15 PM

by Jon Zolsky (FunCoast Realty LLC)

Hi Max,

It is not a reflection of you or your ad, but a reflection of the market over the last 12 months. You should start to see an increase as the market begins to normalize over the next 12 to 18 months.

05/05/2008 10:16 PM

by Bill Exeter (1031 Exchange Expert) (Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC)

Ask Steve Harless. He is an agent from Las Vegas that is having great success with Craig's list.

05/05/2008 10:26 PM

by Meridian Idaho Real Estate Pam Pugmire (All Pro Realty)

I agree with Bill, its the market. My hits are way down from even February ??? I have been shaking my head wondering whats up. some of my ads were pulling in over 1000 hits from CL. I got to tell you though - I have pulled 3 good deals from there, this year.

1: condo $280,000 Closed Feb.

2: Home $379,000 Closed March

3: condo $449,000. in escrow

So they are still coming - just slower

Aloha, and have a great day

Lance Owens (RS)

(808) 936-8383

Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com

http://www.konahometeam.com/

Aloha Kona Realty Inc.

78-6740 Alii Drive

05/05/2008 10:29 PM

by Lance Owens (Aloha Kona Realty Inc.)

Look at it as just one way to generate buyers calls...don't put all your eggs in 1 basket :)
Tom Davis - DE Realtor

05/05/2008 11:52 PM

by Delaware Real Estate :Dover Homes: Tom Davis : Delaware Real Estate Search:FREE (FREE: Home Search: Delaware: Harrington ERA Realty: DOVER:DE)

Hey Folks...

Thanks for the feedback. I think you all make great points about the market, CL and buyers' approach. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one seeing the changes. However, I'm still a believer in CL. I guess we're at a point where we need to come up with a fresh approach to attracting the buyers, whether it's through CL or otherwise. And that's while still incorporating our traditional marketing tools.

Well, I'm off to do some brainstorming. Let us know if you come up with something good.

05/06/2008 08:20 AM

by Max Douge (Exit Realty Enterprises)

Craigslist buyers are all online buying antiques and cars and wedding rings that other people are listing in order to pay for gas and food.

05/06/2008 08:25 AM

by Clint Miller with Real Estate Client Referrals (Real Estate Client Referrals LLC)

Personally, I like your first ad best. Do you repost on CL on a regular basis? You can repost every 48 hours. Last week, I advertised quite extensively on CL. It is THE FIRST TIME I got ZERO CALLS. You may be on to something.

05/06/2008 09:21 AM

by Jennifer Kladny Loan Officer ~ Armstrong Co, PA (1st Metropolitan Mortgage)

I have had much better luck with postlets .

05/07/2008 02:03 PM

by Sharon Harris (AllQuest Real Estate)

Jennifer - I do repost, but not every 2 days; perhaps every 5-7 days. Still, the numbers of hits are much lower than expected.

Sharon - I haven't yet tried postlets. I may try it soon.

05/07/2008 03:39 PM

by Max Douge (Exit Realty Enterprises)

as a regular craigslist user, I too have noticed less inquiries on my ads. I usually have very good success

and sell most of my own listings.

05/08/2008 08:18 PM

by Wendy Smith Real Estate

Wendy - What changes, if any, have you implemented to try getting more traffic through CL?

05/09/2008 08:31 AM

by Max Douge (Exit Realty Enterprises)

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