How to Write a Classified Real Estate Ad

For sale by owner, or "FSBO," is a term used when a property owner sells their home, rental or commercial property without a real estate agent. Since realtor commissions typically range from 5 to 7 percent of the sale price, deciding to sell your home yourself can result in huge savings. There are many things you can do to help sell your house, including placing classified real estate ads in the local newspaper. Most classified ads are limited to only a few sentences, so the goal is to write an interesting and informative ad with as few words as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Write a strong opening statement about your home. Something like, "Gorgeous 2-story located on a waterfront lot."

2. Mention one or two major features or benefits of the property in the first 10 to 15 words of the ad. Include things like "located close to schools" or "easy access to major highways."

3. List the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, if it has a garage and the asking price. Do not include too many details, but include enough facts to spark interest.

4. Include an honest descriptive sentence or two. Buyers want to work with sellers they feel they can trust. Don't exaggerate details or try to cover up flaws with flowery words.

5. List your name and contact information. If you have a website that features the house or property, add that link as well.

6. Write a closing statement encouraging buyers to contact you. Something like, "Give us a call to schedule an appointment to view the property."

7. Proofread the ad. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. Read the ad out loud to see how it flows. The ad should be concise, but contain enough information to draw interest from potential buyers.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out real estate listings in home magazines or on the Internet to get ideas for your classified ad.
• Submit your ad to classified sites online as well. For example, you can place a classified real estate ad on sites like Craigslist for free (see Resources below).

Resources

• Craigslist