Finding Motivated Sellers: The Power Of A Good Newspaper Advertisement

Finding a motivated seller is like Christmas in July! Not only can you save thousands of dollars, but the sale will usually go through quicker than a traditional real estate transaction. The key is finding the motivated sellers in the market, and then connecting with them. While you have dozens of options when it comes to reaching potential sellers, some of them are better than others.

One of the best tried and true methods to finding the motivated sellers in your market is through the newspaper. Once you know the format and wording to use, the rest is just details. So set aside a few minutes of your time, to learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to print ads.

Print Ad or Classified?

The type of ad you take out depends on the type of motivated seller that you are trying to find. High end properties may react better to print or graphic ads, while low end properties may respond to classified ads. Your budget is the main concern however, when it comes to placing a newspaper ad. A print ad can run a thousand dollars or more, while a classified advertisement can cost less than $50. My suggestion would be to first try a classified advertisement and see what kind of response you get. Many times one classified ad is all you need to find a plethora of motivated sellers.

The Format

The main goal of any advertisement is to get the phone to ring. You want to find motivated sellers- bottom line. Many will clutter up advertisements with too many details and graphics, when all you really need is a catchy headline and a few key details. Classified ads only need be a few sentences max, while a print ad should have a clear picture of a home and a few key phrases. Simplicity is the best way to go! If you can afford color- choose a bright red title that will grab the reader’s attention.

The size of the ad may also have an effect on your ability to find motivated sellers. Bigger is usually better, but you will want to experiment with this as well.

Timing is Everything!

Having a good understanding of the real estate market will help you plan your next move. Once you know if it’s a buyer or a sellers market, you can begin to advertise accordingly. When you place your newspaper advertisement is just as important. Generally speaking, weekend editions have a higher readership. So if you can afford to advertise in the Saturday and Sunday paper, that is your best bet. You may also be able to find motivated sellers in the daily paper- so try out both to find out what works best for you and your city.

Consistency is Key

A one time advertisement isn’t likely to find many motivated sellers. The more advertisements that you place, the more likely that you will get the response that you need. So place ads daily or weekly for the maximum exposure. Even if the reader isn’t looking to sell right now, they may be in the market to do so a week or a month from now. The more people that know that you are looking for property – the more likely you are to find motivated sellers.

In Summary

Newspaper advertisements can be a great way to find sellers – if you understand how to do it correctly. It may take a little bit of trial and error, but soon you will begin to notice patterns. Certain headlines and wording will get you more phone calls then others – so pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Doing a bit of research beforehand and knowing what has worked for other buyers can help you find the greatest number of motivated sellers with the least amount of money spent.

Happy hunting!