One of my customers asked me the other day, “How do I make a knock-out flyer for my sign box that will REALLY sell the house?”

The answer is “You don’t.”

This is one of the times that an Independent Homeseller (or For-Sale-By-Owner) likes to concentrate their efforts hoping to do something for a faster, more profitable sale.  They often don’t remember that they are not involved in a flyer design or beauty contest.  I have to advise them to do something that is counter-intuitive.  “Never sell with “blah blah blah” when you can sell with “blah blah.”  I have to tell people that all the time.

So after you have made up a gorgeous brochure or flyer, then step back, take a look at it, and erase something very important.  I vote for the price.  Leave the price off the flyer.  I know that sounds crazy, but give the reader a reason to call you.  You can choose to leave off the number of bedrooms or bathrooms or type of heat or something else, but I have found that the price is most aggravating when it’s missing.

There is really only one purpose of that piece of paper, and that purpose is to start a conversation with you, so that you can invite the potential buyer in to see your house.  Don’t worry that the reason they call is to bark at you for forgetting to include the price. just realize you have accomplished what you started out to do- get in a conversation.

Another fun thing to do that will save you some money is this.  Take the number of houses on your street or in your immediate neighborhood, and put that many out in the box in a black and white copy version.  After they are all gone, then you can bring out the color brochures.  We listen to Dave Ramsey about being good stewards of our money, and that has never been more appropriate than when you are selling your home.  Your equity is your money, too.  That is possibly why you are selling your own home.

I would be happy to sit down and talk to you about many other ideas you can use about selling your house.  My books are also available anytime at amazon.com/author/donm and my website is FSBO-GUY.com.  I am a resource for people selling their house and have been for thirty years. We are truly all in this together, and I would be pleased to be on your team.
Yes, I am the Reasonable Realtor, Don Martin, MARTIN PROPERTIES (615) 973-8970.

Just make your comments here, or you can reach the Dean of Graduated Realtors at www.FSBO-GUY.com or “like” him at http://www.facebook.com/MartinProps

This post was originally published in October 22, 2014.  Subscribe to my posts HERE.