Do you put the price of your house on the street sign?

Question

I would really like to hear everyone's opinion about whether or not you think it's a good idea to put a home's price on the For Sale sign in the front yard.

I'll withhold my opinion for now so I don't pollute the raw data.  Thanks!

Michael Woodward · Answer

Thanks for the input Steve and congrats on the sale!  I haven't tried this strategy yet but I think every effort helps.  I'm gearing up for shock & awe on my sales marketing!

Steve Babiak · Answer

Michael Woodward - I had a situation a couple of years back where my rehab was just way nicer than the other houses "for sale" on a block; the other sellers were taking the brochures to stymie competition ... it sold anyway, based on my delivering the same brochure to a house a couple of blocks away, where the eventual buyer's sister lived.

Jim Hess · Answer

My city will not allow it.

Michael Woodward · Answer

I used to buy and sell cars when I was younger so I was always curious when I saw something sitting beside the road for sale.  I don't think I ever stopped to look at any car though that didn't have the price on the windshield.  The extra "effort barrier" of calling the owner to get the price was enough to make me pass it up every time.  I think the same is true for most people.

Michael - Good luck with your new listing.  Let me know if you get any feedback about the price on the sign.

Eric - I think you're exactly right that people feel that if the price isn't listed, it's too high.  I know that I feel that way.  I won't call about a house that doesn't offer the price on the listing.  The other problem I think people have is that they don't want to have to endure a high pressure sales pitch just to get the price.

Tim - Thanks for the insight into your strategy.  I've had a surprisingly hard time getting my Realtors to put brochure boxes out.  I guess they look at it as a hassle to keep up with.  One of them complained to me that they thought the neighbors were taking them all.  What she obviously didn't realize is that's EXACTLY what you want to happen because close neighbors are a great source for sales (to friends and family).  The more information you can make available the better!  I recently got a contract on a house from someone driving the area.  That taught me a valuable lesson about making sure information is available at the street to pull in the drive-bys.  Thanks also for the link to your brochure box.

Rob - I think you've given me the key to the reason my agents have resisted this idea.  It never dawned on me that the agents need to always be thinking beyond my project.  It makes sense that they would want to make as many connections with people as possible.  I just want calls from serious buyers so I suppose that's the disconnect.  Cool logo!  I'm a huge fan of capitalism! It goes great with a side of freedom!

Rob K. · Answer

In 2008-2010, I would put the price on the sign because there were multiple signs on every street. I wanted to stand out from the rest and many times, neighbors couldn't believe how cheap houses on their street were. They would call friends and relatives and tell them about the cheap house for sale.

I think if you just want a serious buyer and not a lot of phone calls, it can be a good idea. If you're an agent and looking for buyers, it's a horrible idea since you will get less calls.

Account Closed · Answer

Yes, I put the price along with the number of bedrooms on a banner that attaches to the bottom of the yard sign.  I like to give people as much information as possible right off the bat.

I also attach a "brochure box" to the yard sign.  I print up flyers with interior pictures and leave them in the box for people to take.  Here is a link to the brochure boxes I use: Brochure Box

I am a licensed broker, so in my state (Illinois) I also must put "Broker Owned" somewhere on the yard sign when selling my own properties.

Eric Thomson · Answer

I've never seen anybody put a price on the sign, other than my grandma when she wholesaled some vacant lots. Her price was below MV so it worked for a quick sale. If you are selling at MV then I don't know how much luck it would have, but I would be interested in hearing from somebody who has tried it. In real estate magazines I think the impression is if the price is not listed then it's too high. Maybe the reverse would be true on the for sale sign: if the price is listed, it must be a great deal...

Michael Stansbury · Answer

No- but I am thinking of doing this when I have a house that will be ready and in mls on Friday- that Monday a sign in the yard with the price and the DATE IT GOES ON THE MARKET with NO SHOWINGS UNTIL Friday at 9:00-