Home : Blogs : David Matney, CRS ~ Omaha NE Real Estate ~ (402) 490-6771 : David Matney's Omaha Real Estate Blog

A Tip for Placing Directional Signs!

I just listed a home at 3709 N 65 St and part of my marketing plan involves the placement of directional arrows leading potential buyers to the property. When I place a directional arrow, I ask the owner of the home if I can have permission to place the directional sign in their yard.

Today, when I asked permission, he told me that it has been over 10 years since someone has last asked permission to place a directional sign on the property. He really seemed impressed and he thanked me for asking permission and he also asked about the property since I add an address rider to the top of the sign.

(Here is an example of one of my directional arrows.)

Differentiate yourself with a directional arrow!

When you ask permission, you are actually marketing the home, getting "face time" with a potential future client, and differentiating yourself from your competition. In addition to these it is a cost saving measure because when you ask permission your directional arrow is less likely to end up in trash can.

Here is another technique I learned from Bonnie Novak who tried this on her very first listing. She bought two $5 gift cards and gave the owner a choice of either McDonalds or Subway. This idea takes differentiation to an entirely different level. Sometimes it is the very small things that separate you from the competition.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI,e-Pro

Alliance Real Estate

(402) 490-6771

Stay tuned for more information on my new listing!

Posted by David Matney, CRS ~ Omaha NE Real Estate ~ (402) 490-6771 on 01/04/2009 06:46 AM

Comments (67)

Directional Arrows in the Offline Marketing Channel

directional arrows, marketing your home, alliance real estate, david matney, bonnie novak

This post has been included in Nebraska Information

67 Comments on A Tip for Placing Directional Signs!

JAN

David,

I typically do this as well...it is a good practice and one effort we can do to elevate our profession.

Best wishes for 200!

Trey Affolter

www.treysellshouses.com

This just makes so much sense. It makes a great impression and is good for business.

David - You're absolutely right. We (as an industry) must need to do more of this - obviously the homeowners appreciate the respect it shows, and not many REALTORS do it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hi David - what a great reminder this is to respect all property owners' rights, including something as 'small' as directional signs. Good for you for going that extra step. I'd be willing to bet that homeowner will remember you for a long time. Since he said you were the first to ask in over 10 years, I'd go one step further and send him a nice thank you note for allowing you to place that sign there, too. And then another note when you sell it. I like Bonnie's idea with the little gift card, too.

Good luck with your new listing!
Ann

David, it's called common courtesy and respect, something you get but many other people don't.

I always try to ask and agree that it is great marketing. Some owners have proudly showed me their collection of signs taken from non-asking realtors and other businesses. I had never thought of giving a gift card - although one man demanded $50. I walked across the street to find a great neighbor!

David,

When I first saw the title of this blog I was thinking, hmmm, there is an art to placing pointer signs??? Than I read it and am glad I did. Thank you so much for thAt. Not only is it a great tip talking to the neighbor, but adding it to your marketing plan is awesome as well. Thanks! Cindy- Northeast Tennessee

It's about respect and kindness, the marketing is secondary. Great post!

Great idea to ask permission, and also to have a gift card ready to give. I usually place the pointer back-to-back to a 'stop' sign, or some place where it is clearly on public property. BUT, a few times I have asked permission and I got the same reponse as you got--'thank you for asking.' Asking permission is definitely the best way.

Sarah in Nashville

OOhhh- I wish it was that easy in our neck of the woods. We have a gazzillion page code book with every County having different rules.

Years ago before I became a Realtor I had a fellow co-worker come to me and show me (and everyone else) the gift card and the business card of the agent that ask to put up a sign. Now that's cheap marketing.....

Great idea giving gift cards to the owner, and yes always ask permission!

Great info David, I always check with home owners before I put up a sign. It would drive me crazy if I came home and found a sign in my yard so I figure others feel the same.

Great way to show people that you operate with others in mind. Enjoyed your post.

I received the same response - this gentelman hadn't been asked in about 10 years either. I have preprinted MLS sheets and put a sticker on them that says something about who I am and the sign and if they want it removed to please call me. We have so many people call the office and ask for it to be removed or just throw it away.

David, what a beautifully simple idea! We don't typically ask permission and we DO have a lot of signs go missing.

David - I also do this with open houses - and the home owners or tenants appeciate the courtesy.

I love the gift card idea. I would never put a sign in a yard without asking either, but you have taken it to a new level. Thanks for the idea!

David--This is especially important in the summer or areas where grass grows year round, because that homeowner will have to maintain around the arrow which really can get in the way. I have mailed out $5 Target giftcards shaped like houses to the homeowners for this very reason. It is the small stuff that sets you apart from other agents!

David- a great tip using gift cards and a cheap marketing tool. Also shows respect for the property owner.

Rick

I never thought of the gift card. I'm oing to try that next.

I will definitely knock on the door the next time; I always try to put it right in the middle of the two houses so neither gets too angry...but knocking would have been the best answer to that.

Great read and way to get to know the neighboors around your listing! The City of Kelowna is very sticky about the use of directional signs, so very few agents try to utilize this marketing strategy. Take care and have a terrific day!

$5 gift card is a small price to pay for quality face time that will defintiely differentiate yourself from the multitude of realtors competing for less business

David, all Realtors should practice this since it really is only good manners. And to add something to your article, the cities that do not allow directionals NEED to reconsider allowing Realtors to do their job since we help bring revenue to the city with the sell of the property. Just my 2 cents!

That is brilliant. I especially like the gift card idea. I love "outside of the box" thinking. Good job! Thanx for sharing.

What a great post, David. And I love the gift card idea. I agree, too, the value in meeting the neighbors face-to-face. Unfortunately, in my area, directional signs are quite often removed by the municipality. But I do take my hat off to you. Good job and good luck with the sale of your new listing!

Hi David~ Congrats on the feature! You are THE MAN when it comes to professionalism, and courtesy. You really take the time on the details and that is what it comes down to these days. I only work with the best:)

I also love the house address above the arrow. I never thought of that.

Fabulous!

I believe it is the "little things" that differentiate each of us.

You're right...$5 isn't much but it will surely leave a lasting impression. Best of luck in 2009, and congrats on the feature!

Out here there are public easements in front of all properties for street, sidewal, and utilities. That is where such signs go here, although one will find some homeowners who get upset and will go out and destroy the sign or remove it. Doing so is considered theft, property destruction, etc. I have read of some homeowners being sued by the Realtor, and the Realtor always wins.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life -- make it a good start.

I really like that idea, you WILL stand out. However, I would only think about listing with you in the future if you handed out Runza or Crane coffee certificates :just kidding:

I really like the $5 gift card idea! Thats the kind of kind act that when coupled with courtesy sticks in a persons mind for a long time.

Contact me at www.HMDhome.com about offering free interior designer services to your buyers and sellers!

It's certainly courteous and respectful to ask. It also helps that they know who you are and where you'll be, as an additional security measure.

Good idea to ask permission! Besides putting you in front of a potential buyer or seller, the act of asking permission speaks well for you as a REALTOR. I like the gift card, too. Unfortunately, we are in an area that does not allow directionals. Another market we worked in - also in South Carolina - only allowed directionals during certain weekend hours.

Great idea! it really does put us in front of the neighbors which is great!

Manners are very important. Great idea on the gift card. Will add that to my marketing plan. Thanks.

Very good tip, as I never thought of adding the address with the signs. Thanks! Also, liked the gift cards idea.

I really like the gift card idea! I wish we could have directional signs here, but there are city and county ordinances that preclude them

David, Good manners never go out of style and as you noted, personal contact keeps you 'out there'. Don't forget to check local sign ordinances. In my neighborhood, directional signs are illegal.

David-It really is the little things that set us a part. Sounds like you created WOW factor for this homeowner and I'm sure they will remember you! Did you ask permission to put them on your mailing list?

David - I agree with the idea in this one. I've also heard a lot of people using the gift cards that do it as well. It makes sense on so many levels to connect with, ask, and thank that person.

If you've ever had the neighborhood kids watch you put up a directional sign, there's usually a good chance the sign will be gone tomorrow.

If I'm in this situation, I try to "pick out" the group leader, and ask them to keep an eye on my sign and make sure no one takes it down. I tell them that if the sign is still up when the house sells, I'll give them "X" dollars. If they agree, I'll keep my end of the bargain.

Of course the amount you offer might be dictated by your local economy.

I love the idea with the McD's gift card. Bookmarked this post! Happy 2009!!!

I'm always amazed that people don't bother to ask. I've actually pulled a few out of the ground over the years when folks didn't ask and just plunked them down in my yard. Good reminder!

I think the giftcard idea is great. We don't usually think about the fact that it can be pain to mow around those signs. Maybe with a little gift like that, homeowners will be willing to work with us to sell their neighbors home.

WOW! Thank you all for all the comments!

Trey and Christine, thanks for the comments.

Margaret, your welcome. I agree that it helps our profession.

Ann, Great Idea! That is the amazing thing about the Activerain network. It is neat that when you share an idea how other members help you improve it even more! When I was first getting my license, I asked a HUGE hitter in our market if she would share any advice. Her answer was real short and snooty, "Why would I want to train my competition." At the end of the day, you have to put ideas into ACTION! Thanks for the comment.

Kris, thank you.

David, $50? I think I like the other neighbor as well. :-)

Cindy, my sign people know that I'm a little crazy when it comes to signage. Signage is important and it is a science in my opinion. I would not be satisfied with "stock" directionals and it has taken several years and prototypes to determine the best font, size and sytle.

I do a two step listing process. Meet with the sellers, and if we agree on price I order the pre-inspection, stager and order the address rider. That way the address rider is ready on day one of the listing. I also do not tell the sellers that they are getting an address rider on the directional sign. That way the sellers are that more impressed with the level of service.

Dena, thanks for the comment.

Sarah, another important aspect is SAFETY. I drive past the sign to make sure it does not obstruct anyone's vision. There is probably a lawsuit on the horizon and perhaps that is why so many of the comments reference all the restrictions to signage. We have ordinances as well and I believe that the sign has to be 10 feet from the curb.

Thanks for sharing this. I, too, ask permission and gave two people $10.00 Barnes and Noble cards last Christmas. They are in my SOI database and I mail to them regularly. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to be the first one they call when it's time to sell.

In my city we can't put directional signs on city easements, so they have to be on private property. I've also done this, and it's always a fun conversation to have with a seller about why directional signs are not up, "when everyone else is doing it."

The city actually had a flyer sent to all agents reminding them of the code. We see fewer signs up here because of it.

Hi David, My first broker made it mandatory that this be done and if he was to go by a sign and ask the owner if premission was granted and they said they weren't ask he would give them $20. and make the agent pay him back. WHen I first started there I thought that was ridiculous but the listings and sales we could place back to one of those signs was tremendous. Good Luck my friend and happy selling.

I had the same reaction several times when I asked about putting up the signs. It's a good practice.

I am newer in this business, so haven't had a lot of listings yet. But I really like the idea of not only asking the homeowner, but also rewarding them for their "niceness". Congrats on the feature!

David: Congratulations on your new listing. I like the idea of the address on the directionals too.

Great idea. Thanks!

JAN

Great post, David.

I've always knocked on doors before putting a directional sign. They always appreciate me asking. If they aren't home, I leave a note on their door asking permission and if it's not okay, to just call me and I'd remove the sign. No one ever calls.

Thanks for sharing. Never would have thought about giving a gift card. Great idea!

Very good idea. I heard of an agent who had tee shirts with their team info on it, giving the shirts to those home owners gave permission.

Contacting the owner for permission to place a sign is very proactive and smart.

Most of the communities in my area have banned all signs except for yard signs, so we are losing out of directionals, which I believe has really tied our hand behind our backs! It makes internet advertising even more important.

We always ask permission, it is just the right thing to do.

David, I especially like the gift card idea. That is real class.

Hi everyone, a big group hug for all the comments. Thank you.

That is awesome. I love the idea of a gift card. When I sold my listing, I told the home owners thank you for letting me keep the sign there and that we sold it. I will add a gift card to show the thanks next time.

Thanks. Kim Fendrick

We have rental properties which are difficult to locate without arrow signs - so when they are up for rent we take a plate of fresh baked cookies when we go to ask if we can place the sign . . . haven't been turned down yet!

JAN

David: Thanks for some very good ideas. Unfortunately, in the state of Texas, the legislature passed a low prohibiting directional signs...both by builders and Realtors. It has had a very negative impact on helping buyers, or anyone, find the home we are trying to lead them to.

David,

Very cool ideas.

I live in a rural area of Texas and could probably get away with directionals. Some of the properties I list are on huge acres or are in a very off-the-beaten path location; and directionals are the only way to promote them to the driving public.

Great post.

JAN

Great reminder of common courtesy David. I especially like the address rider, great marketing! Good luck with your listing.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?