Old-fashioned newspaper ads. Sometimes, the old tried-and-true methods still work, and newspaper ads do. Usually, a classified ad is priced based on the number of lines or words published. There are extra charges for photos and special lettering such as bold and italics, so get to the point quickly in your ad, but include enough insight to hook prospective buyers. Use special lettering sparingly. You’re going to want to include: ; price ; number of bedrooms and bathrooms ; street address ; square feet ; special features, such as hardwood floors or a finished attic ; Avoid too many abbreviations, as this can be overwhelming and confusing. When you’re ready to place your ad, ask your newspaper personnel when most other real estate ads run. Most often, this will be on weekends. Aim for the same time frame for your ad. Most home buyers will know when the real estate ad sections run, and that is when they’ll be looking. Keep in mind that placing this kind of ad can be tricky. Even saying something that seems harmless such as, “a nice home in a Christian neighborhood,” can get you into tons of trouble. Federal fair housing laws are strict, and anything that could be considered discriminatory is dangerous—even if you mean nothing harmful by it. Nothing in your ad should even allude to discrimination against potential buyers based on: • religion • race • national origin • color • sex • familial status • handicaps • any number of other factors Check out more information on this at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development site at HUD.gov.
67
Powered by FlippingBook