The debate surrounding For Sale signs has been rumbling on for a number of years now.
Critics say that it’s an outdated and unnecessary concept in an internet age, while supporter says it’s still a useful marketing tool and an excellent way of gaining exposure.
Those against For Sale signs say they’re an eyesore and stay up for too long, while those in favour say it’s an excellent way of attracting spur-of-the-moment, off-the-cuff interest that might otherwise not have been there.
There are certainly pros and cons when it comes to For Sale signs.
Below, borrowing on our experience as leading estate and letting agents in Reading and Maidenhead, we outline what some of these are.
The pros
Aside from the obvious – that a For Sale sign reveals your intention to sell and attracts attention to your property from passers-by – it’s also useful from a word of mouth perspective, particularly if you live in a relatively small town or village.
For Sale signs will get people talking. Someone might know of someone who is looking to buy a property, they might even be looking to buy themselves – either way, the sign hooks them in and they either contact the estate agent themselves to discuss the property in question or hand on the details to their friends, family or neighbours.
Even in today’s world, word of mouth can have an impact. There is always a danger that the home you are trying to sell is rather forgotten about, even if your property has a significant online presence. It may get lost in a sea of competition. By having a For Sale sign, you also increase the likelihood of attracting opportunist buyers – those who see the sign, out the blue, and suddenly have their interest piqued.
There is also the power of association argument. Even now, many people will automatically associate For Sale signs with estate agents and homes being sold. We’re a very visual species – what we see influences how we think. It might only be subconscious at times, but people will remember seeing For Sale signs. If they’re looking to buy a property, they’ll probably actively be on the lookout for them.
By not having a For Sale sign, you could be missing an open goal when it comes to attracting as many would-be buyers as possible. Yes, many will turn first to the internet, but people do still like the comfort of more traditional marketing methods. They know where they stand.
On a more practical level a For Sale sign makes your property stand out instantly when would-be buyers come to view it. With first impressions so important, you want your buyers to know which one is your home straight away, rather than wandering around in a daze for a while beforehand.
The Cons
They can be seen as an annoyance, a tacky eyesore that helps to blight the look of an area. We often hear stories of local residents and councils being opposed to For Sale signs, particularly if there are streets filled to the brim with them. There are also often complaints that For Sale signs are left up too long, even once a property has been sold.
What’s more, many see boards as antiquated and without purpose in an increasingly digital world.
The majority of people head online when it comes to browsing for property. Gone are the days where people drive past a For Sale sign and immediately pounce on this initial interest.
Word of mouth is no match for the power of the internet, where would-be buyers can search for thousands of properties at the click of a button.
The internet allows property to be advertised on a local, national and global basis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
If your property can receive huge levels of exposure on the major property portals, is there really any need for a For Sale sign?
Are there really enough buyers out there who might see your For Sale board by chance and subsequently show an interest in your home? Is it worth it?
Additionally, there is a chance that your For Sale board could irritate your neighbours or incur the wrath of the local council.
As usual with these things, you have to measure the pros and the cons and work out if the possible advantages outweigh the downsides.
Boards can still be a very useful marketing tool and bring extra exposure to your house, but in an age where things are now so heavily revolved around the internet you have to ask yourselves whether they still have enough relevance.
Whatever you decide, Ashley Charles will do all we can to get your property sold, using a wide range of marketing methods – both contemporary and traditional – to get the best possible price for your home.
For more info about what we do, please contact us on 0118 959 6744.
To find out how much your property could be sold for in the current marketplace, check out our free instant online valuation tool.
