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Listing Signs With/Without Agent Pictures?

By
Real Estate Agent with 1st Cornerstone Realty

I've been going around a few properties with agent for sale signs.  Its been amusing to see mustaches and other marks on the agents picture.  So I thought I would write about it in my blog.  I personally don't have a picture on my sign for any of my listings.  I personally don't want to see my face every time I go by a property so I can image how other people feel.  When people ask me why I don't have my picture up, I usually reply that I'm not that vain to have my picture up all over the place.  I think the name GREG WILSON Realtor is good enough marketing for me on my sign. 

I always hear that you should have your picture to have more exposure, but I wonder how many people see a benefit of putting up a picture.  A lot of the pictures are really outdated so no one will recogize them anyway. 

Comments (17)

Lewis Beynon
CENTURY 21 Triangle Group - Raleigh, NC
Lew B Realty

The thing I don't like about putting your pic on the sign is the space it takes up....When you drive home tonight, look at the billboards (be careful to watch the road too!!!).  Do you like the ones that are simple and easy to read or the ones that you cant even read because they are too busy and try to say too much???????  Lew

Aug 18, 2008 07:26 AM
Lisa Ryan
Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty - Montgomery, NJ
Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Town

Hi Greg~ in this part of NJ it's very rare to see a sign with an agents picture on it. Probably for 2 reasons, the cost of getting signs made and then, the fact that agents are very transient,going from one agency to another.  Then what are you going to do with all your old signs!

Aug 18, 2008 07:28 AM
Bill Dunn
Elite Realty Group - Paducah, KY

I agree. The pics take up valuable advertising space. I would think the pics would add to the cost of making the signs too. With the way these things get abused I don't want to spend more than I need to.

Aug 18, 2008 07:28 AM
James C. Johnson
Legacy Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD

I could see how it would benefit some - but most it is over kill and some I dont want to see their pic ever!

Aug 18, 2008 07:30 AM
Keith Goodman
Keith Goodman - Merced, CA

Greg, I agree with you. A picture is not necessary at all. You will have no private time with your family because you are always recognized by someone. Thanks, Keith

Aug 18, 2008 07:34 AM
Peter Mann
Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue, WA
Peter Mann Seattle-Bellevue Real Estate Agent

Thanks for the post Greg. Honestly, I am not a fan of putting my picture on my listing signs. Not only do I think it is cheesy and for the egotistical agent, but as you said kids passing by think it is great fun to put devil horns, mustaches and glasses on your face.

Aug 18, 2008 07:43 AM
Nannette Turner
eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA
Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

I have my picture on my signs.  There are a few other agents that do as well.  I think it gets them noticed more.  It did not cost me any more extra to have my picture on my sign as it would without.  I have a full color sign. 

Aug 18, 2008 07:46 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

It seems a bit self-indulgent to post a photo on a property- anything that distracts from the house itself would seem counter productive. Buyers don't want to see that; they want a phone # or website address in which to get all the info needed. Opinion.

Aug 18, 2008 08:01 AM
Aventura | Bal Harbour | Sunny Isles Beach | REALTOR® 786-229-7999
SIB REALTY, Llc // WaterWayRealty.com - Sunny Isles, FL

I think having ones own mug on a sign or business card goes beyond vanity. The idea is to achieve a name/face recognition. That is the reason many major brands use celebrities or the likeness of a popular face to help them sell a product or service.

Aug 18, 2008 08:16 AM
Paul F. Stillwaggon Warren NJ
Weichert Realtors - Warren, NJ
NJ Estates Real Estate Group, Weichert Realtors

We have a New Jersey Realtor that has her picture and solar lights on her signs, we will be trying the solar lights this winter, not the pictures.

Aug 18, 2008 08:36 AM
Billie Chubb
Chubb Realty Group - Wilmington, DE

Research suggests that people are a lot more likely to remember a name when they can put a face to it. Pictures on signs really do help with name recognition. I have people I have never met come up to me at restaurants to say hi. Worth the investment.

Aug 18, 2008 08:37 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I'm not big on pictures on a sign.  I tihnk its cheesy.  They are not very common in this area.  I think your picture can be on the flyers and other advertisements.

Aug 18, 2008 01:11 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

I have my photo on my signs, and in the first few months, I did actually get a mustache painted on several of them. I assumed it was unfriendly competitors. I don't have that problem any more. There are just 3 of us in my office and my team, small market place, so we stand out with the photos on the signs.

Aug 18, 2008 01:53 PM
Lela Hankins
RE/MAX UNITED - San Marcos, CA
CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI

From years in the marketing business before I came to real estate, I know that images sell better than words.  Even though I hate seeing my picture on my signs, I know it helps client recognize me and makes me more approachable to them.

Aug 18, 2008 02:03 PM
Tina Merritt
Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Real Estate

I've had so many clients make jokes of agents with mugs all over their signs that I wouldn't dare think about doing it.  I feel it is overtly self-serving.  My job is to sell my listing first, not myself.

Tina in Virginia

Aug 18, 2008 02:08 PM
Debbie Romeo
Coldwell Banker DiTommaso Realty - Staten Island, NY

thinks everyone here really got me thinking! my lights are going to be on soon LOL

Aug 18, 2008 02:36 PM
Debbie Romeo
Coldwell Banker DiTommaso Realty - Staten Island, NY

I know how you feel but think of it in a different way. When people see your face all over they know you are a very experienced and great Real Estate Salesperson by the amount of different signs they see in all different areas. I use custom made signs because i actually received alot of great feedback from it so it does help in some cases.

Aug 20, 2008 09:30 AM