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AnnArbor.craigslist.com

Have any of you checked out Craigslist in your location lately?

I post all my listings on Craigslist, every 45 days. I get more emails and calls on my rentals and lower priced homes.

Today I posted my new listings on 7185 Dell Rd, Saline, MI. which is the post right before this one. I really never take a look at all the postings there, I check out the one I just posted and move on to something else. Today I decided to see how all the listings looked. (or so I thought)

So much self promotion from other agents, spam to buy programs, all in the real estate section.

Some posts had just a link to a web-site where the house was actually listed.

Wonder how long this has been going on?

I have found mostly younger buyers use craigslist, tech savy. I wonder if the consumers looking for houses want to see all the promotional advertising in that section?

If I was a buyer, I would not.

Most buyers just say, "Show me the houses, condos for rent or sale?"

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate on 06/11/2008 11:46 PM

Comments (63)

craigslist, ann arbor, house listings

Originally posted at: Ann Arbor Undressed : AnnArbor.craigslist.com

Post is included in group: Keller Williams 'Rainers

63 Comments on AnnArbor.craigslist.com

JUN

2008

Missy,

I think you are seeing why Craigslist will likely eliminate the use of HTML except for specific items.

It's a mess.

Which, of course, completely defies the theory of focused advertising.

Yes, Missy, it's a mess. I periodically go through those listings in the Twin Cities are, and see the same thing.

Missy, I agree that there's a lot of fixing up that can and should be done on Craigslist. I post my listings there too and am dismayed at all the garbage that pops up there in the real estate section.

Oops, I wasn't logged in when I left the comment above.

Missy, I think craigslist is really getting tougher now. This is both a good thing and a bad. I know it elimanted a lot of spam which is agood thing but they still have to work on the knocking people off. Down here competition is tough and other mortgage people will knock you off craigslist by just flagging it.

Missy, I agree that craigslist does seem to attract the younger buyer and the lower priced homes and there is a lot of junk there around the properties. Plus you roll down the list pretty fast and have to repost it.

Oh it's been going on for a while! It's certainly annoying to look at but people search through it all nevertheless.

Just like any form of ads or media. It needs to be left alone and let the regulations deal with it themselves. I dont use it but If i want too I dont want people telling me how.

I have heard that they would be eliminating things like postlets and vflyers. But too me these show the house, not a promotional ad. But, so far you can still use them.

Missy, You are correct in that they are planning on eliminating the use of HTML. I use my postlets on craigslist. I also find that I get calls from younger people and like with you it is also mostly for my rentals and lower priced homes. I usually repost once a week because there is so much garbage on there. And I usually do this on Thursday later in the day for the weekend.

Missy, I only post properties... I have never understood the appeal of information presented like this. But the younger buyers use it.

Missy this is one of the reasons I have stayed away from Craigs list as well as the fact that I have never generating many calls from the adds.

It is a mess here too. The real estate services category used to be better, but now that one is similarly like that here as well.

Missy, I agree with Bill's comment. I have posted on Craigs list and it was nothing but a headache. I got a lot of scammers calling me even though I indicated that I did not want to be contacted by others for their services.

Also, I have found that I have better and more viable leads posting on sites like: sales spider, backpage, adpost, etc.

Good luck!

You know I have never really gone and checked that out. Guess I will have to do some research today!

I only post listings and you are right, it is the rentals and lower priced properties that generate most calls. You know, I don't spend a lot of personal time there and have to check out the advertising and self promotion.

I think most consumers can see through what they are looking for versus in your face self promotion.

I hope they don't do away with HTML! I like craigslist but want to continue using postlets.

I guess I better go over there and check things out. I post on there but don't really check it out, It's like going to Loehmanns' (big designer discount story in New York and you have to go through racks and racks of things to find something you might like). Not my cup of tea.

Missy - Thanks for the post - I posted one of my listings there awhile back and got a couple of inquiries, but then I never went back. I should probably follow the same protocol that you do. Have a great day!

I read a post awhile back about Craigslist becoming a huge waste of time and I'm beginning to understand what the author meant. A year ago, before every tom, dick and scam artist knew about it, it was much more effective. Now we just use it for rental properties and are still getting good return there.

I honestly haven't taken the time to really explore the Charlotte Craigslist so I appreciate this update. Not much we can do is there? I am pleased with how my listings look but will check it out. See you on Friday...woo hoo!

I also use craigslist and primarily just use it with my postlets or v flyer. There are less problems that way. I have slacked off some, it seems I get more scam emails than real ones !

When I first started using craigslist several years ago it was great. But Las Vegas craigslist is much like yours....you really have to weed through it in order to find anything good. It's not just the real estate for sale, it's the jobs available too.

Missy, There is so much controversy over using Craigslist for anything. Still, I notice it comes up in Google searches but I would carefully screen anyone contacting you from there if you use it.

Missy, I really haven't used Craigslist ... are you saying it is or isn't worth the hassel?

Missy,

As great as Craig's list was in the beginning is how polluted it has become with spammers, gamers, crooks, ID thieves, etc... It needs a major overhaul!!! Thanks, Fran

Missy, Craigslist is a good place to post listings but there is so much other junk posted there that I doubt most buyers care about. Just show me the listings would be my motto...

The local new ran a story about how you can sell your house on craigs list, and some people thought that was the thing to do, When they talk to me about it, I told them I have been advertising my listings for a year on craigs list, and never get a call. I do believe that renters use it a lot.

I have used Craigslist...only responses I have received so far is spams from other business wanting to sell me something. But, it is free, so i will probably continue doing it.

Hi Missy - I post every 45 days too on Craiglist :) I have gotten alot of calls and responses so it does work. I remember when craigslist was just big for us kids in college. I would sell all my used stuff on there just so I can have drinking money and surviving as a working waiter student so it has helped me out alot. Recently craigslist been getting much more exposure than just college kids, I have seen alot of the older generations using it more often through word of mouth from their kids/grand children and of course T.V Exposure.

I think Craigslist should do more of a job in regulating the spam but they won't do that until they get the OK to start allowing sponsors on every page (which I doubt they will but most of CL competitiors are doing so already) Bottom line is CL is just another way for free exposure, can't complain there if you get some GREAT if not you haven't lost anything :)

Great post Missy

Missy: I post all of my listings on Craigslist and go back every 45 days or so and repost them. I notice the traffic to my website will increase significantly after I post listings on craigslist. Its one more website to get exposure for my sellers homes.

Craigslist is a big mess but we use it anyway. Just one of the many places we put our listings on.

Missy, is craigslist keeping up with new techology? Are they really trying to be competitive. Is it a tool that has lost is real value. AJ

Just like any other successful site, Craigslist has attracted its share of spammers and junk mailers. Every time I have posted a listing on there I will start getting inundated with spam within 24 hours. My email box just fills up with garbage.

But, on the other hand, it IS a free site and a valuable marketing tool (at least around here) and if we are going to use it we just have to work through the garbage.

I agree! I looked over there when I was advertising an Open House and was stunned to see all that self promotion...

I don't know how effective it is, but I do know that when I tell sellers that I am one of very few Realtors in our area that post listings on Craigslist, the younger sellers think that's really cool. (am I dating myself using 'cool') Anything that makes the sellers happy and makes us stand out from the herd is my theory in this wacky market.

Missy - I agree that Craigslist is a mess. I really liked Miriam's description

Once a while in the Dallas craigslist section may be spammed but on the whole, it is pretty resourceful as a good place for buyers to see what is available on the market. I do get contacted through emails on my listings but I do not think I have SOLD it there.

Craigslist is good for rentals and some other properties. I have had some good results, but it is typically not for higher priced properties...although one never knows.

I was getting so much spam email that I quit Craigslist for awhile.

JUN

2008

Every time something great pops up (like CL), we enjoy and use it. But very soon all the spammers jump yet on another venue for their promotional crap.

Not sure if the 45 days was a typo, we post ours on it every 2 days. Here in our area Craigslist is very good for getting contacts from potential buyers.

Craigslist is a great site to sell property on! Thanks.

Craigslist is useful in my area. I usually get response from it and try to put one listing per day on it. I find that the local "craigslist community" is very vigilant in flaggin spammers. Spam does not last long here.

Missy - I've had mixed results from craigslist. I've closed loans directly attributed from advertisements & information I've put on there (one this month) and I've also had people contact me about everything from 'increasing my google presence' to 'reaching local singles in your area'. You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have ... Craigslist.

I get calls from craigslist sparadically. Some win and some lose.

HI Missy,

There is a lot of grabage on Craigs list. However adccording ot my site I am getting great traffiic from there so keep posting. You can also optimize your flyers and they can sho up on google too. The page rank of craigs list also helps as a link. :)

Anne

OK Missy ......try again...either my computer or activerain is acting up again......it posted without my info before I could spell check !!!! I think this looks better.

There is a lot of garbage on Craigs list. However according to my site I am getting great traffic from there so keep posting. You can also optimize your flyers and they can show up on google too. The page rank of craigs list also helps as a link. :)

Missy, great point!!! I know if I were searching for homes I would like to have information about the homes and not have to weed through a lot of other information to obtain it. Thanks for sharing.

Try to keep things in perspective. Craigslist is a free tool for you that just might help you find a buyer client or just might help you get a listing sold. Just like Active Rain is a free marketing tool. We're all blessed with these great FREE MARKETING tools to help us grow our business. At the end of the day...it's a good thing!

It is like that here as well. I used to roll posts there, but there are so many agents (and others) that spam the crap out of CL it isn't funny. They have the same thing going up every couple of hours, using disposable email addresses, etc.

The html issue isn't going to fix CL. I think the only way to actually fix it might be to charge for it... and that might kill the whole catagory.

Missy....I absolutely LOVE Craigslist ! ! ! I suppose, like anything, it could be improved, however, I have been searching for employment on Craigslist, and it has been very productive. I think that any site that we can use to promote either ourselves OR our business is worth the inconvenience.

Missy,

Thanks for the info. I just started entering my listings on CraigsList. I will have to keep an eye out on what happens.

I hate all the garabage that can be placed on there. Just show me listings. But I have had other agents still my listings and repost them on craigslist as their own and had weirdo's contact me as well off there. So I havent put my listings on in a long time.

I agree we find the lower priced homes get the most activity. I just rented one of my properties using it.

JUN

2008

Missy ~ I haven't read all of your comments, but I was under the impression that CL was going to make a new catagory for real estate agents that was separate from FSBO.

JUN

2008

It must be tough for craigslist to police everything that gets posted wrong

JUN

2008

Hi Missy, Congratulations on the Featured Post. This is really an interesting subject. I have never posted on Craig's list and I have nothing to add but I found the comments very illuminating. I have gone there many many times and was somewhat taken with the lack of sophistication. It is a sort of an EBay for what have you.

JUN

2008

Missy, thanks for the reminder. This is great with AR to help each other. I am sitting here thinking what else can I do ....

JUN

2008

Missy, I post my listings on Craigs list but only get calls for rentals.

JUN

2008

We use Craigslist for all our listings, but like others, get the most calls for leases & lower priced properties.

I love to use Craigslist when looking for furniture and household items. It's like a garage sale, online. We've gotten some amazing deals!

JAN

SEP

I've been in the business for few months now and craigslist is what kept me surviving until now. I got the permission from other agents in our office to market their rentals and now I average 6 closed leases a month from craigslist.

One day I posted 10 different properties for sale and I got 2 serious buyers and one of them submitted an offer on a house and waiting on closing soon.

I know how to use HTML and to insert an invisible counter in my ads and I check after a week for how many clicks each ad had, so I have now an idea about which price range I can do marketing for.

Now, when I put 5 ads, 4 of them are in the popular price range and one higher. For example, 4 ads for leases for $1200 and one for $1900, I got 2 in the last 3 months looking for $1800-2000 lease..not bad.

I agree that there is a big mess there and you have to be very consistent. I put at least 20 ads every other day in different times during the day. Also I like to put my ads late at night, when there is less posting so my ads will be on the first page early the next morning

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