Hey Everyone!

I am looking for ideas to bring attention to a listing that I need to get sold. The seller is willing to look at all offers, and time is an important factor at this point. This is in a small rural community. House is ranch style, 1200 SF, priced at $85,000. Got any suggestions??

How does the home compare to the others? I'd actually focus more on getting honest feedback from potential buyers, agents, friends etc. If time is an important factor, the price needs to be right.

I would focus on having the house in good condition, marketing to the community via just listed cards (along with visiting neighbors to let them know the home is for sale), etc. I'm not sure what your area is like, so Craigslist and other online methods may not work as well for you.

Open houses or events where you have a small party can work, but again, we'd need to know more about what buyers in your area want and how they find out about properties.

Thanks for your input, Dee. Open Houses have never brought me any success in our area. I think the house compares equall to others in the area. I figure I have nothing to lose by trying, so I went ahead and submitted this home to postlet & craigslist as well. I am making flyers to post in the local grocery stores for added exposure directly on this property. That seems a little bit simple, but I have gotten a buyer once before that way, so figured it was worth a try.

I don't expect the buyer to necessarily come from the local area. Things have slowed quite a bit, as it has in many areas across the country. That is making it hard on a lot of us. The house is in good condition, and is vacant. This sale is brought about due to an unexpected death in the family. I have just this afternoon, emailed info to agents who have other listings in the area, and agents who have an office near, or have been known to work in our area....even once in a while.I put a twx ad on the board site, also........

Not sure if this will work, but since you're looking for creative suggestions.....


Do a search in your MLS for the past 6 months and find out if any homes in the general area and price range have "fallen out of escrow". Contact the selling agent and see if you can find the agent who made the offer. Perhaps their buyer needed help with financing? Maybe they didn't have reserves to float the loan at the time? If you can't find a cancelled escrow locally, try looking in similar areas for the same thing. You're looking for someone who was interested in buying, so hunt them down.

Try this - go back to the seller and add 1% to the selling commission if the buyer is represented by another broker.

Then promote the extra commission bonus on the fliers, MLS, hotsheets, anywhere you can, to let other agents know about the incentive.

-Send out postcard to the rental around the house.
-Offer creative financing example closing cost assistance, rent to own etc
-Broker's open house. Get feedback and provide to the seller.
-Selling agent bonus
-Local newspaper advt.
-Call or email agents who have done business in the area if they know someone who has a buyer
-Fliers at local store with huge banner with incentives

Good Luck!
Ritu