One of the most difficult aspects of selling your own home is attracting qualified and interested buyers. Obviously you have to do the basics, such as putting an attractive sign in your yard with an information tube attached and running a classified ad in the newspaper. But there are many other, more creative marketing moves you can make as well.

• Advertise your home online. Statistics indicate that over 20% of buyers are starting their search online. Our research confirms that these buyers are among the most sophisticated, well-educated and affluent individuals, and are particularly accustomed to using the WEB to begin their research on many topics. Owners.com reaches over 65% of the online buyers, so an ad placed here promises a great response for the cost.
  
• If there are major employers in your area, call the human resources department and ask if there is a procedure for putting an ad on their bulletin boards. There may also be a method for you to let any employees who are relocating to the area know about your home.
  
• If there are lower priced homes in your neighborhood, put flyers in the doors or mailboxes of those homes. For instance, if you are selling a single family home and there are townhouses in your neighborhood as well, the possibility of a buyer wanting to move up from a townhouse is pretty good. Also, if you are selling a condominium in an area where there are apartments, the apartment dwellers are good candidates for purchasing your home. Many homes are sold to folks who live very close-by and want to stay in the same neighborhood or school district.
  
• It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to tell everyone you know that you are selling your house. Many homes are sold through word-of-mouth.
  
• Put flyers on bulletin boards at your local grocery stores, health clubs, and libraries.
  
• If you are willing to pay a real estate agent to bring a buyer to you, do a nice flyer inviting agents to show the home. Indicate the commission that you will pay. Drop off several of the flyers to local real estate offices and ask if you can put them in the agents’ office mailbox. Many offices will not allow you to put flyers directly in the box, but will distribute them to the agents or announce it at an office meeting.
  
• There are many “discount” agents in the country who will place your ad in the multiple listing service used by agents. You must be willing to pay the agent who brings a buyer and there will also be a cost associated with placing the listing in the MLS.

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