Craigslist: It’s either the most efficient way to buy and sell stuff ever invented or a dark mirror of America’s subconscious. (We browsed the Casual Encounters section once and didn’t sleep nightmare-free for a week.) As more and more would-be home buyers do at least some of their hunting online, a Craigslist post has become near-mandatory if you want a house to sell.
But how can you stand apart from the herd -- the hundreds of listings with ALLCAPS MISSPELLDED SUPERHYPER! headlines that clutter every city’s Craigslist? For some tips on getting the most out of this potentially powerful sales weapon, we went straight to the source: We asked Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster for his personal dos and don’ts.
Do: Emphasize your own role. With professional agents behind many CL real estate ads, Buckmaster says an owner selling alone attracts attention on a site that still relies on its grassroots appeal. “Make sure to mention that it’s ‘for sale by owner,’ if it is,” says Buckmaster.
Don’t: Indulge in hype-laden marketing speak. Here’s how Buckmaster puts it:
Good: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1-car garage Victorian.
Bad: MUST SEE! PERFECT LOCATION! STUNNING! WON'T LAST!
Do: Keep it simple. “Don’t distract with fancy ad formatting,” Buckmaster says. “Buyers are interested in property information, not your HTML skills.”
Don’t: “Never use ‘broker speak,’” advises Buckmaster. “Avoid words and phrases like ‘bijou,’ ‘location location location,’ ‘amenities,’ and made-up neighborhood names.”
Do: Make sure your house looks its best. “The most inspired listings are informative and no-BS, with excellent photos attached,” Buckmaster says. Consider hiring a professional photographer -- someone who knows how to make your living room look like a film set, in a good way.
And that’s about it. Good luck!
-- Zach Dundas