The real estate industry is rapidly changing as consumers are becoming more educated about their options and role in the sale of property.  Not unlike the travel and financial services industries, the real estate industry is evolving to allow consumers to become active participants, rather than bystanders.  While many will continue to hire (and pay for) a real estate agent, those who are willing to learn about what is involved in the process from sources outside the traditional sales force, are beginning to realize that they have the tools, knowledge and unique position as property owners to take back control over the sales process.

We started Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner (then known as Picket Fence Preview MA) in 2002 by published a real estate magazine and website. In 2007 we discontinued our monthly print publication and expanded our website features to include Web 2.0 technology.  As a regional service, we continue to educate the public through our seminars, media interviews, public speaking, online newsletters and social networking.  

For Sellers, we provide: 

• Regional walk in service, seminars, local storefront
  
• Top-ranked internet exposure - combining Virtual Slide Shows, national syndication, open house announcements, articles and local service directories
• Education - our "How To Sell Your Own Home" book, plus a step-by-step marketing guide, phone email and office support
• Products - signs, information boxes, open house supplies, custom fact sheets, builder brochures, etc.
• Online newsletters - informing readers about for sale by owner and local Massachusetts real estate issues
• Blogs - http://www.ma4salebyowner.blogspot.com  and others
  

For Buyers, we provide:

• Direct contact to buyers
• Pictures, pictures and more pictures
• Open House announcements
• Property Alert Notifications - we'll email you when new properties are available - NO CHARGE
• RSS listing feeds
  
• Online newsletters
• Service Directory - find home inspectors, attorneys, mortgage lenders, etc.
  
• Blogs - http://www.ma4salebyowner.blogspot.com and others
  

For local media outlets, we provide:

Here's what your friends and neighbors are saying about us: 

• "We have been using Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner to sell our condominiums for 3 years now and love how easy it is. With everyone going on the internet now when they want something it is best to be there. Liz does a great job setting up your information and updating your ads each month. HAPPY NEW YEAR from a happy customer!" (RP Builders, Southampton, MA)
• "We just wanted to let you know that we closed on our house on Thursday. We also wanted to thank you for all your expertise and advice during the process. Everything went very smoothly-it was just one month from signing the offer to purchase to the closing! We pursued other avenues of advertising while trying to sell, but our buyers found us through Picket Fences. And in this age of internet driven searches, it was the ad in the magazine that caught their eye and ultimately led to the sale. We will highly recommend Picket Fences to anyone we know trying to sell their home!" Editor's Note: Kathy had previously listed the property unsuccessfully with a real estate agent. Kathy Lonergan, Ludlow, Massachusetts - Ad#H1096
• "Hi Liz - We've sold the house! It was because of Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner (Picket Fence)!!! Thanks so much. The sale price was $411,000 and the closing date was 7/13 - we were actually under contract 6 days after we listed with you! Thanks so much." Linda Spencer, South Deerfield, Massachusetts - Ad#H1133
• "We are writing to thank you so very much for the valuable service you provided for us in the selling our our home. You were always courteous and helpful and your advice in composing our ad was appreciated. We had our buyer within 3 weeks of running our ad with Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner (Picket Fence Preview). We had interest in our home from Boston, New York City, Florida and many other areas. We ran our ad a second month in case the deal had not worked out and don't regret it. We had total control of the deal and how and when we would show our home. In our opinion, you cannot beat Picket Fence Preview for value. It was money well spent. Thank you very very much." Lee and Mary Nelson, Buckland, Massachusetts - AD #H525
• "Thanks for all your help in getting me "set up" with MA4salebyowner (Picket Fence). I had my antique house listed with a local realtor for well over 7 month without getting a single offer, but as soon as my add appeared on the internet the calls and emails started coming. I received calls from as far away as San Fransisco and Florida with many other states in between. I had an offer in one week, and completed the sale without any problems. It was a positive experience, much more satisfying to know the potential buyers and the final buyer. I would highly recommend your service and would use it again if I needed to." Hanne Burns, Goshen, Massachusetts
  
•  "We are closing on the house tomorrow. I found we had great exposure, more on line than through the magazine, through Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner and Picket fence. We had over 50 inquiries through Picket Fence, and only 9 or so through Yahoo. We did get a full price offer, just before our open house, On May 13. We also got a lot of exposure through drive-bys, and we must have gone through 150 or so fliers. The flier that you made and that we had professionally copied came out beautifully. We did get a few Realtors inquire and bait us with selling, however, I simply explained that the house was priced for a fair price without a Realtors fee, and to have a Realtor to list it, would have limited our buyer potential (cost wise). As far as showing our house, I loved it. It was hard to maintain a clean and uncluttered look with two children under the age of 6 and two kittens, but my pride of the design, quality,and function of our home had shown through by my marketing. The buyers are very excited about their new home, and simply love the design, which gives me great pleasure. We did hire a real estate lawyer, who handled all the legal ends. We also hired our own building inspector, along with title five, radon, water, pest, and smoke/fire inspection so when the buyers lawyer contacted our lawyer, we had all the paperwork all done, and simply faxed it when requested. This made closing from start to finish with in 6 weeks. It ran very smoothly. As far as the interactions between us and the buyers, we could call them/us with any questions without waiting for a middle man which made the process that much faster."  Jill Newcomb, Southampton, Massachusetts - AD#H443