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I really don't want a sign in my yard. It's none of my neighbors business if I'm selling my house.

By Tish Lloyd

Real Estate Agent with BlueCoast Realty Corporation

January 09, 2011 03:48 AM

I really don't want a sign in my yard. It's none of my neighbors business if I'm selling my house.

With all due respect, you are incorrect. It is in your best interest to have as many people as possible know that your house is for sale. No one can buy it, if they don't know it's available. With over 160 homes currently for sale in Wrightsville Beach, NC, we need to take advantage of any form of advertising we can.

First, let's deal with the neighbor issue. Your neighbor may be just the person to help sell your house. Think about it: Since they already like the neighborhood, they are more likely to suggest to friends or acquaintances there's a house for sale in their neighborhood. You want, and need, all the "advertising" you can get. Talk to your neighbors, let them know you are selling your house and give them one of the flyers I gave you. Ask them if they know anyone looking to buy, and if perhaps they might like your house. Most people would like to help choose their new neighbors!

Many potential buyers aren't working with a REALTOR®, and begin their search by driving around neighborhoods they like, looking for real estate signs. Sure, most people today begin their search for a new home online. But, many are still taking a weekend drive through communities they like, taking note of the homes they see with real estate signs. They even call the Listing Agent on the spot, to get more info. Can you afford to miss that chance?

Our goal is to sell your Wrightsville Beach, NC house in the shortest amount of time, on terms which make you happy.

Along with a great marketing plan, having a sign in the yard will help us to do just that!

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Pam Dent

Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA

REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

Tish - I have had multiple sellers this year who did not want a sign. A couple of these were vacant country properties that were still furnished. and the sellers did not want anyone to drive in unattended.

Jan 11, 2011 10:05 AM

Scott LaMantia, GRI

McColly Real Estate - Portage, IN

Great post, Tish...I agree wholeheartedly, the yard sign is a VERY important piece of marketing!!

Jan 11, 2011 10:25 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Rhonda ~ My sentiments, exactly.

Pam ~ Certainly a valid point.

Jan 11, 2011 10:27 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Scott ~ Thanks. It certainly reaps a great return for the investment. So much great input here.

Jan 11, 2011 10:40 AM

Phil Parisi

Sea Flag Homes - Jensen Beach, FL

Specializing in Florida's Treasure Coast

Why do some sellers resist tryed & true results? Good Post

Jan 11, 2011 11:12 AM

Dennis Helmstetter

Real Estate Teams LLC - Frederick, MD

Even if neighbor is an enemy, or a frenemy, they could be your best recource. They may try harder than anyone to get you out and someone - anyone - in, but likely will try to find someone they know who...

Jan 11, 2011 11:45 AM

Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team

Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL

Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

What agent doesn't hear this? The last time I heard it the client didn't want her exercise partners to see the sign, but the neighbors were okay, so I gave her one she could take in and put in the ground when she felt comfortable. It's not a heavily traveled area so it wasn't a big deal.

Bottom line is that we do encourage signs where allowed. Joy

Jan 11, 2011 01:21 PM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Phillip ~ Go figure; thanks for stopping by.

Dennis ~ You are so correct.

Joy ~ We can only overcome some objections -- we educate, make our reasoning and respect our Clients within the confines of our fiduciary responsibility.

Jan 11, 2011 02:18 PM

MaryPat Munding

Equity Colorado - Front Range - Lafayette, CO

The finest compliment I can ever receive is the re

Great post, I luckily haven't run into this yet, but I know people do, and these are some good things to remember when I have a client who doesn't want a sign, Thanks

Jan 11, 2011 04:39 PM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

I'm very thankful I've never had to deal with this type of difficult seller. If you want to sell your house and this will increase the odds of it happening then you do it.

Jan 11, 2011 04:47 PM

Anonymous

Peter Michelbach

Tish,

I noticed the no sale sign policy here in Perth as well, usually with new land releases were the land agent is afraid of the 'competition'....my solution than is to have a sign with a motive of a dolphin errected for 'recognition' purpposes on the block, so that prospective buyers can't miss the location... often land is sold 'off plan; there are no street names yet, similar to a jungle ...I love dolphins, they always brought me luck...and I'm still acting brave and fair within the rules...

....to sellers who don't want a for sale sign my comment is: how can you sell a secret??? And with a buyers market, we need all the exposure, on all venues possible...Thanks, great comments. Peter --W.Australia

Jan 11, 2011 08:00 PM

#124

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

MaryPat ~ Thank you -- glad you stopped by; wishing you a terrific 2011!

Mike ~ We are constantly educating . . .

Peter ~ Sending lots of dolphins your way -- hoping the flood waters recede soon and your area recovers quickly. I love your ingenuity in using the dolphin sign as recognition -- what a brilliant move on your part. Thank you for your input.

Jan 12, 2011 01:10 AM

Ric Mills

Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ

Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

This is a good Blog issue. it doesn't happen often in this market but it does happen. That is alos why we make sure all of the homes have flyers on the sign. The drive bys and the neighbors are great sources of advertising.

Jan 12, 2011 03:22 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Ric ~ Thanks for your input -- to me the sign is an integral part of the process.

Jan 12, 2011 03:27 AM

Anonymous

Peter Michelbach

Namaste to you Tish, and thanks for your compassionate thoughts...for all those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, businesses in Queensland...

Sorry, for moving to a different topic...let me share, before I moved from good ol Germany to Australia I did a comprehensive tour...then, made my 1st offer on a house in Brisbane, but luckily was able to withdraw from the offer...after signing the offer, I decided, after my subconscious mind registered alarm, to do some 'field work' in the same afternoon in that neighborhood... the friendly neighbour revealed that the house I made the offer on, had non approved fundations by the shire... a few years later, after a mini flood, that same house had huge problems.... the lesson for me, always follow your intuition...

...yes, dolphins are my secret messengers, and in my meditations I always surround my self with them, also with my Indian spirit guide...the power of the subconscious mind...

...in regards to signs, I recommend my clients of having huge signs with professionals photos displayed, as well as on the i-net, and in addition audio video tours...some time ago I had the priviledge of working with a extremely professional, and with the highest integrity female sales person from Connecticut, who had all the charisma, and who did some extraordinary tours...

...there are, on the other hand 'voice activated signs', or signs with sensors who would light up at night when someones passing ....the sign, is like a loyal soldier always on duty...be it in rain, sunshine or snow ...Great comments, thank you for sharing -- Peter. W. Australia

Jan 12, 2011 11:47 PM

#128

Karen Crowson

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA

Your Agent for Change

This does come up with some sellers who need to short sell their home. They feel remorse, shame, fear, anger, and just don't want the scrutiny of their friends and neighbors on top of that. If they're in a market where inventory is limited (we did experience that here in CA last spring and still do in some neighborhoods), it may work out ok for them. I don't condone it, but certainly understand the sensitivity.

Jan 13, 2011 08:10 AM

William James Walton Sr.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT

Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Tish,

I've had sellers insist on a sign being placed in the yard, and I've even lost a listing because my broker refused to place a sign in the yard, but I don't remember ever being told not to put a sign in a yard because the owner didn't want the neighbors to know. That's defeating the purpose of even trying to sell, as you so very adequately pointed out.

Jan 13, 2011 01:50 PM

Linda Christopher

Riverside, CA

Property Manager & Real Estate Sales

With all due respect, you really have no idea of the real reason they don't want a sign out front. Even if you did know it's not for you to decide if you agree with their decision. I would only stress lightly on the importance of a sign being there then I would back off quickly. And I would never be so condescending to say "with all due respect" or "you are incorrect" over a personal choice of my client.

I had this experience once and I could hear/see/understand that it was important to my client. That was good enough for me.

Jan 14, 2011 11:21 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Peter ~ Greatly appreciate your input. This is invaluable information -- we learn so much from each other; thank you.

Karen ~ I agree with you completely. I have worked with numerous short sales and fully recognize the importance of being sensitive to those emotions.

William ~ Always appreciate your comments.

Linda ~ With all due respect, when working with Buyers, I always listen to their needs, wants, concerns and fears. As for condescending -- I also try to include all of my peers when showing respect, whether it be in person, on the telephone or in writing.

Jan 15, 2011 05:20 AM

Matt Robinson

Professional Investors Guild - Pensacola, FL

www.professionalinvestorsguild.com

It's suprising that they wouldn't want as much exposure as possible. I can understand someone not wanting "short sale" rider on their house, but a for sale sign seems like a must.

I actually had the exact opposite just happen, where my seller was adamant about me placing a "sold" sign up IMMEDIATELY after we went under contract, because she wanted to show off to her neighbors. It was weird how passionate she was about it.

Aug 24, 2011 07:38 AM