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Does Craig's List Ever Work?

By
Home Builder with Bloomfield Homes

This is an honest question that I ask of my fellow professionals in this industry.  Does Craig's List ever really work?  I have worked day in and day out trying to keep my little ad on the first page... and, for the work it entails, I have received a phone call on it once!  Even then the gentleman who called never showed up for their appointment.  So, it is easy to get discouraged and decide that maybe for the time involved, Craig's List is a lost cause.

 Has anyone else tried this and, if so, what results have you had?  I want to know if it ever translates to sale or if it is time to debunk free advertising as truly free (since it eats up your time) and is it effective?

 Any thoughts would be wonderful!

Comments (16)

Rick Belben
Belben Realty Group - Orlando, FL
Orlando Real Estate - Belben Realty Group

I have closed a sale on a call that was generated from a craigs list add. They do get looked at. Like any type of advertising it is a numbers game. It can also be good for driving taffic to your site. Sometimes you may get a call from someone off yor site who found it through a craigs list add.

May 31, 2008 11:54 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I closed over 1.3 Million in sales from ONE Craig's list condo listing last year.  This spring I put one of my own personal investment properties on Craig's list on a Saturday.  I ran the ad once.  I sold the condo on Thursday.  I find that for first time buyers at a reasonable price point in our area that it works like a charm.  It is a laugh to see properties in the 1M plus range listed.  A waste of time.  Stick with it and you can drive traffic to your web and blog. 

May 31, 2008 11:58 AM
Patty Carroll
Vancouver, WA

We have had buyers from our listings on Craigslist. Are using postlets? We did a post on postlets a short time ago in one of our blogs.

May 31, 2008 11:59 AM
Wendy Montoya, REALTOR® Broker Associate, 254-315-4906
Towne Adams REALTORS - Waco, TX

Hi Sara, I think it depends on where you live. It seems like craigslist has caught on more in some places than others. I have gotten calls and responses from some of my ads, but I feel like most that I get are the type of calls and repsonses that really don't lead to much.  But, people do find me there.

And many of the people searching the site seem to be looking at craigslist as a bargain basement type place. That has been my experience, but I think it's well worth the money (FREE) because you never know and yes, it may drive more traffic to your Website as Rick said.

 

May 31, 2008 12:01 PM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I've gotten the most calls on my $200,000 listing from CraigsList.  However, i've gotten none on my $700,000 listing.  I think it depends on the location and the type of buyer (first-timers seem to use it more).

May 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Jenni Meador
Keller Williams Realty Waterside - League City, TX

I have not tried Craigslist yet, but I hope to in the near future. 

May 31, 2008 12:12 PM
Jennifer Kipila
Van Dyk Group - Barnegat, NJ
The Muldowney Team - Ocean County Homes

We have had calls from our listings on Craig's list and we did have someone come to see the home.  We have not yet closed a deal from Craig's List yet, but enough inquiries and we will end up getting one.  Another bonus point of Craig's List is that a lot of sellers know about Craig's list and they seem to get so excited when they hear that you are putting their home there.

May 31, 2008 12:27 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Sara.. Every time I have a listing, I put it on Craig's List.  Updating it, changing info to keep it current.  Not once have I ever gotten even a call of interest on it.  Sorry, Craig's List does NOT impress me.

May 31, 2008 12:29 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

I sold my own listing to a buyer that found my ad on Craig'sList. I've also rented a few of my rental listings from my Craig'sList ads.

May 31, 2008 01:09 PM
Sara K. Braden
Bloomfield Homes - Fate, TX

Wow!  What a broad assortment of results.  No wonder I was unsure!  I think Wendy brought up a good point, number one rule of real estate... location, location, location!  So, your buyer profile makes a difference.  For those of you that have had success, what suggestions do you have for the rest of us?

Patty and Scott, what is a postlet?  If anyone else knows, fill me in pretty please!

Jun 01, 2008 10:23 AM
Bart Whitmore
Keller Williams- Louisville - Louisville, KY
Real Estate Agent

I was wondering if anyone picks up clients from the service offered adds?

Jun 01, 2008 12:37 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

I too was wondering how well it works. From what I read here, it looks like it is good to just keep it as a part of the marketing since it is free and does not take much time.

Jun 01, 2008 01:42 PM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains

Sara:  It has never done a thing for me.  I don't even use it anymore.  But I have read posts from others who apparently have had great success.  I'm told that it mostly depends on your location.

Jun 03, 2008 11:47 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Hi, Sara - I am in the middle!  It has garnered many emails that result in leads for me when the home is priced under $300,000.  Over that price point I don't get much.  My thought is that is doesn't hurt!

Jun 04, 2008 12:01 AM
Carey Pott
January Financial - Foothill Ranch, CA

I've had a lot of success with Craigslist both as a seller and a buyer. It may be worth it to track how much time you spend on it until you close your first deal and then decide if all that time was worth the effort. Maybe the community you're in just isn't into Craigslist yet...

Jun 09, 2008 11:34 AM
Mike Kelly
Sellstate Advantage Realty - Cape Coral, FL

I have had a few responses recently and they all seem to be from investors! No sales or listings yet and it has been 90 days now!

Mike Kelly

Jun 09, 2008 02:03 PM