How to Build Real Estate Signs

Build your own sign to sell property faster.

Building your own real estate signs is a quick and inexpensive way to promote properties for sale or rent. Signs purchased in stores are not professional-looking or durable. To differentiate your property from all the others, build your own real estate sign. A custom-made sign in front of a house or apartment will make the property more memorable to prospective clients. A colorful, sturdy sign that you build yourself will help you get more sales.

Things You'll Need

• 1 piece heat-treated wood, 2 by 4 by 67 inches
• 1 piece heat-treated wood, 1 by 4 by 33 1/2 inches
• Sandpaper
• Outdoor paint
• Jigsaw
• Drill
• 4 screws, 1 inch
• Wood glue
• 2 hooks, 1 inch each
• 1 plastic corrugated pad, 24 by 18 inches
• 2 purchased generic signs

Instructions

Build the Signpost

1. Sand the wood with medium grit sandpaper until it is smooth.

2. Paint each piece of wood a color of your choice. Allow to dry completely before proceeding.

3. Measure lines for cutting a notch in the 2-by-4. Lay the wood so that the 2-inch side is vertical to the ground and measure 3 1/2 inches from one end. Draw a line. Lay the 1-by-4 piece of wood on the line you just drew and draw another line down from the first one. This measurement will be approximately 3 1/2 inches (the width of the 1-by-4).

   Turn the 2-by-4 on its side so that the 4-inch side is vertical to the ground. Place the 1-by-4 between the two lines drawn in the previous step and mark the thickness of the board. This measurement will be approximately 3/4 inch.

4. Cut a notch in the 2-by-4 with a jigsaw, using the measurements from Step 3.

5. Cut a point on the opposite end of the 2- by-4 with a band saw or jigsaw to help you place the signpost in the ground. Cut two lines at 45-degree angles to the bottom to form the point.

6. Attach 1-inch hooks into the 1-inch end of the 1-by-4. Screw them in and secure with wood glue. Space them 18 inches apart. Place the first hook 4 1/4 inch from one end and place the second hook 18 inches from that point.

7. Glue the 1-by-4 into the notch on the 2-by-4. Measure 3 1/2 inches from one end of the 1-by-4 and place it in the notch of the 2- by-4 so that the end sticks out of the notch. Place wood glue in the notch of the 2-by-4 and lay the 1-by-4 into it. Secure it using four 1-inch screws. When finished, the signpost will have 26 1/2 inches on one side of the 2-by-4 and 3 1/2 inches on the other. Make sure that the end with the hooks is on the side sticking 26 1/2 inches out.

Build the Sign and Assemble

1. Purchase two generic "for sale" or "for rent" signs at a local hardware or discount store. Make sure they are the standard 24-by-18-inch size.

2. Glue the signs from Step 1 onto each side of the plastic corrugated pad. Adhere with common white glue.

3. Drill two holes with a 3/8-inch drill bit in the top of the assembled sign 18 inches apart and 1 inch down.

4. Place 3/8-inch-diameter grommets into the drilled holes in the sign.

5. Hang the sign from the hooks on the signpost.

Tips & Warnings

• It is a good idea to make several signs at the same time so that you are prepared for multiple properties. Besides, you can hang anything from the signpost. Make different signs for various events, like garage sales or birthday parties.