We recently had a request from a seller to not put a “For Sale” sign in their yard as the home was vacant and they didn’t want to attract “lookie-lous”.
The seller must indeed weigh the pros and cons of having a sign in the yard. Certainly, especially in the case of an empty home or in a situation where the sellers may be out of town, security may be a concern.
However, here are some facts to consider when making this decision according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
- The first step taken by home buyers 6% of the time was to drive by homes and neighborhoods.
- 48% of buyers cited that yard signs were a source of information used in the home buying process
- 91% of buyers indicated a yard sign was “very useful” (32%) or “somewhat useful” (56%) source of information
- 9% of buyers ultimately found the home they purchased via a yard or open house sign
- 6% found the home they ultimately purchased through a friend, relative, or neighbor
Generally speaking we don’t see “lookie-lous” as all that bad. Even though they may not be in the market to buy now they can be a source of referrals; chances are they know someone who is.
When it comes to safety and security regarding signs at vacant homes, it can be as easy as setting up a shared schedule with the seller to check in on the home often to ensure things are secure. Staging an empty home and installing security and/or motion lighting can also be beneficial.
The bottom line is the more people who know a home is actively for sale, the better the chances are for it to sell quickly and signs are a sure way to increase exposure.
Contact Jessica at 509.947.2230 or Jennifer at 509.947.5670 for more useful information on selling your home.
