There are certainly no shortage of "For Sale by Owner" signs around the Calgary urban sprawl. Something I have noticed time and time again is the propensity of these home owners to make their own signage to advertise their listings. I would like it to be known that I am certainly not against someone trying to sell their home on their own, although I do feel strongly about the success rates of licensed realtors and the power of the MLS. However there are some very important considerations that should be kept in mind (namley signage).

I came across this again yesterday when driving past a neighborhood in the south west, where in the middle on an intersection was a cardboard sign with white poster paper on it. The sign was weather beaten and dirty with the information drawn on by hand. My immediate thought was, why wouldnt you prepare a clean and professional looking sign to advertise an asset that is worth at least $450,000 (given the area where the sign was).

My main point here is that even the small details can turn away potential buyers and professional looking signs that are clean and well maintained are an easy way to project an early positive image of the property before it is even viewed (consider product packaging). so if you are considering trying to list your home on your own, dont overlook something as simple as the sign you are using to advertise it.

-Asheton Coultman