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You're Not Listing On Craigslist? You're Kidding!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with BEST AGENT BUSINESS

house with phoneIt's FREE, has 20 billion page views per month, and more than 50 million users in the United States - why not post your listings?  Craigslist was created by Craig Newmark in 1995 as a simple email list of San Francisco events.  It is now the 7th largest English-language company on the internet and the world’s most used classified advertising service.

Craigslist has changed the nature of real estate marketing.  In the past, most agents paid for advertising in printed publications such as magazines and newspapers. Of course the internet has resulted in many marketing changes, and the popularity of Craigslist across the country and the free listings makes Craigslist an easy choice for agents.

Craigslist is specific to cities or regions and each has a real estate section.  Listings are arranged by date.  Real estate sales are alive and well on Craigslist with the real estate sales section as the #3 most popular category.

Craigslist itself is simple with no bells and whistles.  It has had only minor design changes since its early days and the website is known for its simplicity.  Some tips for creating real estate listings that will attract attention on Craigslist include:

     Using large, colorful photographs - and links to more information

     Posting ads with different layouts

     Using professional, descriptive text

     Keeping ads simple with an easy to follow call to action

The most challenging aspect of listing on Craigslist is keeping track of all of your ads, and posting your new properties while taking down old ones that have gone off the market.  It takes time to create attractive ads that stand out from the crowd and it is important to keep your listings near the top by reposting on a regular basis.

The good news is that there are services to assist you in posting and maintaining your Craigslist ads.  Best Agent Business has a special Craigslist group within their Listing Management Team.  This group is experienced in creating ads that work on Craigslist and maintaining a posting schedule that best fits an agent's needs.

There are zero ad dollars to lose in giving Craigslist a try!  Schedule a free call today with Steve Kantor, President, Best Agent Business to discuss Craigslist postings as well as other services that will boost your real estate success.

Blog submitted by Beverly – Associate, Best Agent Business

Show All Comments Sort:
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I gave up print classified ads 5 years for my clients' rental homes and never looked back. I worked hard for a LOCAL Craigslist area and I post DAILY and am AGGRESSIVE with multiple e-mail accounts.  It is EASY and it is FREE!!!

Jul 11, 2011 01:56 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi STeve: It's a good place in which to advertise..

Jul 11, 2011 01:58 AM
Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

A lot of very useful information I will give Steve a call. I advertise my listings on Craig's List and not only does it help to move my properties but it also increases traffic to my website. It is a great tool.

 

You do have to be careful, there are a lot of people scamming on Craig's List too.

Jul 11, 2011 01:58 AM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Steve, "20 billion page views per month, and more than 50 million users in the United States" is nothing to sneeze at and the price is right - FREE!

Jul 11, 2011 02:07 AM
Judith Abbott
Coldwell Banker Residential - Dallas, TX

My experience is that the reason realtors don't think about Craigs List is that it just isn't on their radar.  I think it may be an age thing.  The average real estate agent is 57.  I don't know the age of the average Craigs List user.....but I bet it is in th 28-32 year old range.

Jul 11, 2011 02:45 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

The spamming moved me away from it but like Lora showed, those numbers don't lie, I'll be back!

Jul 11, 2011 03:56 AM
Paula Smith
RE/MAX Mountain Properties - Prescott, AZ
CDPE, CRS, SFR, Prescott Arizona

The scamming has been a nightmare for me. Everytime I have posted, my listings get scammed. Have learned that it is in the way I posted. I will try again. Thanks!

Jul 11, 2011 04:31 AM
Roseville Rental Properties - Homes & Condos For Rent in Roseville / Placer County, California (916) 408-5500
Roseville Rental Properties - Roseville, CA
Property Management and Tenant Placement Services

Steve, I've been using CL with success for all of our rental properties since 2001. Love it!

Jul 13, 2011 12:22 PM
Steve Kantor
BEST AGENT BUSINESS - Bethesda, MD
Best Agent Business - Virtual Assistance

Craigslist can be a big help in the real estate market. I highly reommend giving it a try!

Jul 17, 2011 03:10 PM