Any realtors out there willing to share marketing techniques?

Do Craigs List, because it's FREE. Make up some flyers and distribute around the neighborhood. Hang them on doors. People have friends and relitives who are looking to move into neighborhood. Probably the most productive for me is newspaper adds. Give enough info to get people to call for appointment to see. It is best to get buyer inside home so that you can show and describe best points of home. If you don't give enough information, you will get calls from people who are not interested, but don't have enough info to make a decision. If you give too much info they may not call to look. Add should include address or neighborhood, price, number of beds and baths, square footage, parking, HOA, and special offers. Open houses have never worked for me to sell a home. I use them to get more clients and increase my buyer data base. They normally attract neighbors and drive-bys just wanting to look. If you can offer to pay closing costs, help with down payment, lease option, lease purchase, or seller financing, these are attention getters. There are also down payment assistance programs that you might want to make buyers aware of (Ameridream is one). Staging is good if you can afford it. Staging is especially good if home has unusual floor plan of traffic areas to show buyer possible furniture arraingement. This is what works for me.

Good Luck,
Al

Here's what's worked for me:
Late on a Friday night put bandit signs up at every exit of the local walmart, grocery store or any high traffic mall, so when they stop they'll see it. You can make your own sign with bright orange poster board, hand written works best. Place signs on the properties too, place ads on craigslist AND backpage.com, they're both, (you know it) FREE! You can also list them on youtube with a virtual tour, or myspace.
You can also use a flat fee listing service to put them on MLS, they're only a couple hundred bucks, but I'd try the freebie's first, they're very successful methods. I would just keep the ad simple, it's cheaper and easier to read. 3/2 1500sq ft, OWC, No Credit Check, No Qualifying, (if those apply they're attention getters) Put only one of the best ammenities in the ad: pool, fireplace, 2 car garage, but the rest should be about the terms. If you do have an open house, when people call you for more info, tell them all that they can see the house at the open house(set a couple of dates a week or two apart) and have them ALL come at the same time, have plenty of pre-qualification applications or contracts there, so you can lock it up all in one shot. This way you're not having to show the house continuously and it also creates a frenzy when they see all these other interested parties. ;D
Let me know how it goes, if you need any other suggesstions hit me up sister.
Love ya!

Al & Lena, Good, good tips! Thanks for writing them in here. Now I'll have something to refer back to.

A lot of the suggestions sound very similar to advertising for rent. It's been awhile since we've SOLD a house, but anything we have in the past has been pretty much by word of mouth. (Except the first spec house, which we sat on for a YEAR! )

Al, I was surprised to hear your take on the open houses. I'll keep that in mind. (although I was thinking it would be really fun to do one. But I guess that's not the goal, huh? lol )

Elena, I like the "frenzy" too. I use that for rentals as well. Have everyone scheduled within the same hour.

Rina

I know whatever you do will be successful, you're like king Midas, everything you touch turns to GOLD! Keep us posted on your progress, it won't be long!
Love ya,

Wow - what a great time to have this question asked! My first house is nearly completed and I'm JUST working on how to advertise and I find this thread of info....amazing! Thanks so much! Good luck Rina!!!!!!!!!

all good ideal everyone has mentioned.

I would like to add that on your for sale sign (please have it made professionally) and use the word HOME instead of house. It sounds much more personable and more professional and inviting.

Also ...yes use a stagging company, it makes all the difference!! Most companies charge 1% of the sale price.

and hold an open house on sunday once a month until it sells.

Thank you, D. You're right. I always list as "home" instead of "house". Good point.

Laura, good luck to YOU!!! Your very first "home" sale. EXCITING!!!!!!!

Lena, you are so funny. I guess I'd better not hug you when we meet each other. lol!!

Al, I really appreciate you as a realtor being here and giving us a different perspective on some things. You're a really well-rounded guy. Thanks again.

Rina