Introduction
Full Blog Post: retipster.com/howtowriterealestateads/
Zillow FSBO: www.zillow.com/for-sale-by-owner/
One of the greatest skills a real estate investor can acquire is writing compelling property listings that sell properties quickly.
Selling real estate is actually a lot of fun! After selling my first several properties, I totally misunderstood what it meant to promote listings and get properties sold. What I assumed would be an awkward and annoying process turned out to be a GREAT way for me to tap into my inner skills as a writer.
Most properties are quite capable of selling themselves, but ONLY IF you've priced it right, you've promoted it adequately, and you've created a listing that clearly communicates why your property is the deal of a lifetime (and why your buyers would be absolutely crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity).
When posting your property on websites like Zillow, Craigslist, or eBay, it is IMPERATIVE that your listing is eye-catching and looks different. Remember, you only have a split second to catch someone's attention and engage them into clicking on your listing -- so this kind of first impression is EVERYTHING. I'm not kidding!
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Video
- [Seth] Hey there, how you doing today? This is Seth from the REtipster blog.
Today, I'm, going to show you, in just a few minutes, how to take a property that you own and list it for sale on this website here called Zillow., I'm sure, you're, probably familiar with it.
The nice thing about Zillow, is that it's a huge name in the real estate world.
So if you can get it here on this site, it's going to go a long way in getting your property information out in front of as many eyeballs as possible.
The great thing about it is it's free.
It doesn't cost anything.
If you've got a few minutes, I'm going to show you the exact steps you have to go through to get your property listed.
As, you'll see, it's really pretty simple, and it doesn't take a long time at all.
If, you don't have a Zillow account, you'll have to go and click up here where it says, Join and create one.
But.
If you do have an account.
All you've got to do.
Is click Sign in here and enter in your typical information.
So I'll go ahead and do that.
Again, once you're signed in, it's a pretty easy, flowing, naturally intuitive process.
All you have to do is start by entering in the property address.
In my case, I've actually got a vacant land parcel that I'm trying to sell in kind of a remote area, and it doesn't even have an address.
All I'm going to do is start by just putting in the street name, because that's all I've got.
This is in a small town in Michigan called Baldwin., Hit, Michigan, zip, code, and then I'm good to go.
Hit continue., Like, I mentioned.
This property does not have an actual registered street address.
In cases like this, you do have to know the parcel number.
Luckily, I do have that.
If, you don't have it, it's pretty simple.
You just have to find it on your county, assessor website, or you can go ahead and give the county a call and figure it out that way.
Once you've got that parcel number.
You just put it right in here.
Then, it's going to bring you to this page, where it shows a map of your property, and that dot should be right over the property.
However, in this case, because there's no address, the mapping system doesn't really have anything to go.
By.
The cool thing about Zillow is that if it's not right, you can go ahead and click this thing here and say, "No.
Let me change it." Assuming.
You actually do know where it is.
You can zoom out with this map and then find it.
In.
This case, I do happen to know exactly where it's at, so I'm going to go ahead and zoom in here.
The property is right about here., So I'm, going to click right, there, and then there we have it.
The dot shows pretty much exactly where that property is.
Once.
That's all set, we're going to click Save & Continue and move on to the next step.
Then.
You just start by entering in your price.
I'm, going to put 9,900 bucks, just as my starting point.
I did notice.
That Zillow offers the opportunity to include a video walkthrough of the property.
If.
You click on this.
It shows you more about how that works.
In my case, I've got an actual YouTube video that I uploaded.
It's, just a really quick, 30-second video.
I'm, going to take that link and put it right, here.
Just because that's easier for now.
Assuming you've got some photos, I've got a few set aside here that are ready to go.
You can just go ahead and drag them right into the browser and do it like this.
Then.
Those will upload.
One thing, you'll notice about these right, here, they're, actually smaller resolution images, so you'll see this little exclamation point just letting you know that they may not display quite as good, because the resolution's not that great.
Assuming- that's not an issue.
You just go on here and keep scrolling down.
For the lot size.
This is a one-acre lot, so I'll go ahead and click that and then do one acre.
If, for some reason.
Your property is smaller than one acre.
You would have to put in the square feet, which is a little annoying.
I'm hoping they're going to change that feature at some point.
It would just be a matter of going ahead and doing a acres to square feet.
Conversion.
You can do that simply by googling 'acres to square feet'.
Then.
You get this little calculator right, here., It's, pretty nice.
Say.
If this was 0.5 acres, right there, you've got 21,780.
You would just take that number and plop it right in here, like that.
Again, given my situation, this is a one-acre parcel, so I'm just going to do it, this way.
For the property description.
You just go ahead and put it here.
If.
You had another website URL to put in here, say if it was your selling website, or a dedicated real estate, agency, or investor website, where you have all your information, you could put that here, as well.
I'll just put my blog URL here just for kicks.
Down here.
You can put your primary phone number so that people can contact you.
You just go ahead and do it like this., Then, click, this thing down, here, and say Post for sale by owner.
Then.
You can go ahead and view the listing.
Let's see what it looks.
Like.
All right, as you can see, this listing looks pretty much exactly the way it would.
If a real estate agent listed it.
You've got the pictures.
Here.
You've got a map.
If I did have a video uploaded through Zillow.
It would show up right.
Here.
You can go ahead and scroll through here and maximize some of the other images and see those.
It all looks really good.
Go ahead and close that.
As you scroll down.
Here, you can see the property description.
I put in there.
We can view this virtual tour, and this was the YouTube link that I uploaded.
You can see the video.
It's just that you have to leave the site in order to see it.
Once that is done, I'm.
Just going to pause, that, go back, here.
You can see some of this information.
It may or may not be available or applicable.
But it's pretty hard to distinguish this from what you would normally see with just a standard.
Mls listing.
I think it's pretty cool.
I use it all the time.
It's pretty much a staple in my selling process, because, let's be honest., If I don't take the time to go through these motions and do this, I'm, just ignoring a huge, huge audience of people, many of whom would gladly buy my property.
So.
It really is in my best interest to do this and make sure all my properties are listed here through Zillow.
With, a price tag of free, I.
Think most people would agree, it's kind of hard to argue with that.
Anyway.
That is how the Zillow for sale by owner listing service, works.
If you're, not using it.
You should be.
Be sure to check it out next time, you've got a property to sell and get your property out for the masses to see.
Hopefully.
You found that helpful, and I wish you all the best in getting your property sold.
FAQs
How to Use Zillow to Sell Your Real Estate FAST? ›
One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast is to price it competitively. If you price it too high, you detract prospective buyers out price out potential bidders. In addition, it make take longer to settle the negotiation process if prospective buyers want your price to come down.
How to use Zillow effectively? ›- Zillow History.
- Use It To Set A Sale Price.
- Use It To See How Your House Compares To Other Area Listings.
- Use It To Sell Your House.
- Use It To Find Out If You're Getting A Deal On Your Home.
- Use It To Check Property Taxes In Areas You're Thinking About Living In.
- Use Zillow To Get Advice.
- Get Mortgage Quotes.
One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast is to price it competitively. If you price it too high, you detract prospective buyers out price out potential bidders. In addition, it make take longer to settle the negotiation process if prospective buyers want your price to come down.
What's the fastest you can sell a house? ›- Request a cash offer. ...
- Hire a top agent who sells homes fast. ...
- Sell by owner. ...
- Be smart about the listing price. ...
- Clean, declutter, and depersonalize. ...
- Make quick repairs (but don't over-renovate) ...
- Improve your curb appeal. ...
- Stage the home to stoke buyers' imaginations.
- Sign Up for Zillow Premier Agent & Advertising. ...
- Create an Agent Profile. ...
- Claim Your Listings. ...
- Ensure All Listing Information Is Accurate. ...
- Fill Out the Home Description & Features Sections. ...
- Add Compelling Professional Photography. ...
- Create a Video Walk-through. ...
- Leverage Open Houses for More Zillow Views.
About Best of Zillow
Best of Zillow status is awarded to top-performing Zillow Premier Agent partners with proven track records of exceptional performance, customer experience and operational readiness.
Zillow Home has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Its website is designed to be easy to navigate, with homebuying educational resources and calculators to learn more about the mortgage process and estimate costs.
What is the most common reason for a property not to be sold? ›The most common reason why a house fails to sell is because the asking price is too high for the current market or for what the home offers. If your asking price is unreasonable and doesn't compare favorably to similar properties, it's unlikely your house will sell.
How can I sell my listing fast? ›- Clean and declutter.
- Pick a selling strategy.
- Set an attractive price.
- Invest in minor repairs.
- Stage and add curb appeal.
- Use professional photography.
- Create a listing strategy.
- Time your sale right.
The most common reason a home isn't selling is that it's priced too high. Many home sellers are advised by their Realtor to enter at close to the market rate, but they decide to take their chances - figuring they can always lower the price later. The problem here is two-fold.
What is the slowest month to sell a house? ›
Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.
What day do most houses sell? ›To sell for the most money, you should put your home on the market on a Wednesday. To sell the fastest, list on a Thursday. Avoid Sunday, which is the worst day to list.
What day is best to sell a house? ›Thursday is generally thought to be the best day of the week to list a house for sale. Studies show that homes listed on Thursdays are more likely to sell faster, and for a higher price. Talk to your agent about whether listing your property on a Thursday should be part of your home-sale strategy.
Is it worth it to advertise on Zillow? ›Are Zillow leads worth it? For many realtors, Zillow leads are definitely worth it. Leads from Zillow are actively looking for homes, so they're a lot warmer than leads you might find through pay-per-click or social media advertising.
How do I get more views on Zillow? ›A virtual tour is a must-have and may actually help your listing get more views and saves. Based on data collected between November 2021 and January 2022, listings with a Zillow 3D Home® tour got, on average, 43% more views on Zillow and were saved by buyers 55% more than listings without.
How do I get my house listing noticed? ›- Use good SEO practices.
- Take excellent photos.
- Use your email list.
- Share your listing on social media.
- Reach out to your personal network.
- Cold call and knock on doors.
- Reach out to past clients.
- Host an open house.
Your State's MLS
If you are able to view the MLS in your area online directly, you will only see properties that are currently active on the market. This makes the MLS more accurate than Zillow, which frequently keeps properties listed as available long after they have been taken off the market.
Zillow has higher real estate commissions.
This is a consistent practice among Realtors, with 3 percent designated for the listing broker and 3 percent going to the buyer's agent. Because Redfin is a brokerage as well as a listings aggregator, commissions can be as low as 1 percent of the selling price.
How accurate is the Zestimate? The nationwide median error rate for the Zestimate for on-market homes is 2.4%, while the Zestimate for off-market homes has a median error rate of 7.49%. The Zestimate's accuracy depends on the availability of data in a home's area.
How overpriced is Zillow? ›Several studies demonstrate that it's possible Zillow can be accurate within 80-90% of the value of a home. This means that its estimates can be a good starting point. However, when you want to price a home to sell or know what a home is worth so you can buy now, its numbers are not accurate enough.
What is so special about Zillow? ›
As the most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates offer customers an on-demand experience for selling, buying, renting and financing with transparency and nearly seamless end-to-end service.
What makes a house unsellable? ›2. An unrealistic price tag is a common issue. Several agents said that when a home isn't selling, it's probably because the price is too high. "An unsellable home is one that is not priced right," said Noemi Bitterman of Warburg Realty, who handles sales in New York City for homes between $500,000 and $1.75 million.
What causes property value to decline? ›Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the property is a greater risk to purchase. Foreclosures in your neighborhood can also drive down property value.
Why would a house be on the market for a long time? ›The listing price is too high. Every home will sell at the right price, and if it's the wrong price, then it will just sit on the market for forever. Buyers most likely jumped when the home was put on the market, and after seeing the property, decided to buy something that was a better value.
Is it better to show a house with or without furniture? ›Some real estate experts suggest it's best to sell an unfurnished house, whereas a majority of them agree that it's best to lightly furnish it to attract buyers. However, if you're in a rush to move out, don't furnish the property.
Why won't my listing sell? ›Poor Communication. The number one reason well-priced homes aren't selling in 2022 is poor communication with the seller. If you don't clearly communicate to your seller the specific issues that are preventing the home from selling, you have zero chance of fixing them.
How long do most houses take to sell? ›After an offer is accepted, home sales typically require an additional 30- to 45- day closing period before they are officially sold. Therefore, the average time it takes to sell a house is 55-70 days in the U.S.
Why is no one making an offer on my house? ›One of the most common reasons a home doesn't get offers is incorrect pricing for the market. While you may assume this means pricing too high, this isn't always the case. Sometimes pricing low causes potential buyers to think there is something wrong with the property and avoid visiting an open house altogether.
When selling a house is it better to have it empty? ›The bottom line: An occupied home will typically sell faster and for a higher price than a vacant house. But, if you have no choice and must sell a vacant home, talk to your REALTOR® for tips and ideas on how to properly stage the home for a successful sale.
What months are the busiest for realtors? ›April, May, June, July, and August are the busiest months in real estate.
What month do most people put their house up for sale? ›
Summer provides California home shoppers with the highest selection of properties for sale. Specifically, the end of May and June typically see the most home sales.
What time of year do houses sell cheapest? ›Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce.
What month are the least houses sold? ›Typically, winter time is the slowest of the year to sell a property, specifically November, December, and January. However, there are some exceptions because there are several conditions that affect the housing market.
What time of year are most houses listed? ›Most homes are listed for sale in the spring and summer, and traditionally, this has been the best time of the year to buy a house. During this period, families bought homes so their children could be enrolled in their new schools before the start of the school year.
What day is best to close for sellers? ›As a real estate attorney involved with hundreds of closings, David Reischer, a real estate attorney at Legal Advice, suggests that the day of the week matters more than the day of the month or time of year. “Tuesdays through Thursdays are the best days to close for both buyers and sellers.
What day of the week is best to start a sale? ›Monday. Cars: Sales are typically busiest during the weekends, so come Monday, there are fewer customers hanging around. This often means you can negotiate a better deal on this day.
Does selling on Zillow save money? ›Zillow For Sale By Owner Cost Bottom Line
But the biggest benefit of listing for sale by owner on Zillow is that there are no costs involved, and you can potentially save a lot of money in commission fees.
Key Zillow Stats
Zillow is not profitable. After expenses, the company lost $101 million in 2022. Zillow estimates that 67% of U.S. home buyers used its web properties and mobile apps.
Add a current profile photo AND a video to your Zillow profile – let people get to know you! Add the areas that you specialize in — include cities, neighborhoods and zip codes. Homebuyer searches may vary, so you want to make sure they will find you! Your Home Sales — Be sure to add EVERY sale you've ever closed.
Why am I losing views on Zillow? ›A lack of showings can signal problems, such as subpar listing photos, a listing price that's too high, or even issues with your real estate agent.
Why is my house listed so low on Zillow? ›
If your home has more value-factors (bigger square footage, better condition, more amenities, etc) than the comparables that are pulled, then your Zestimate is likely to be lower than actual value.
Why is my house not getting any views? ›Let's get straight to the biggest issue: In almost every case, the reason your house isn't getting showings is because it's priced too high. Again, the lack of interest has nothing to do with your home. It has to do with the price of the home compared to similar properties within your market.
How do I get more buyers and sellers in real estate? ›- Buy Real Estate Leads.
- Engage With Your Community.
- Ask Existing Clients for Referrals.
- Create a Website.
- Post On Social Media.
- Specialize In a Niche.
- Try Cold Calling.
- Host Open Houses.
- Create a website.
- Build a blog.
- Develop email marketing campaigns.
- Employ virtual staging.
- Try experiential marketing.
- Partner with local businesses.
- Run paid Instagram promotion.
- Use drone photography.
The amount of data we have for your home and other homes in your area directly influences the Zestimate. So you can make your Zestimate more accurate by providing more information about your home. The first step to doing that is to claim your home and edit your home facts on Zillow.
How do I increase my views on Zillow? ›A virtual tour is a must-have and may actually help your listing get more views and saves. Based on data collected between November 2021 and January 2022, listings with a Zillow 3D Home® tour got, on average, 43% more views on Zillow and were saved by buyers 55% more than listings without.
Is Zillow usually accurate? ›The nationwide median error rate for the Zestimate for on-market homes is 2.4%, while the Zestimate for off-market homes has a median error rate of 7.49%.
How does Zillow get pictures of your house? ›A majority of Zillow's photos are provided by real estate agents through the MLS via a listing feed when a home is listed for sale. It is important to note, photos provided by previous agents or homeowners cannot be used for future listings. Zillow also publishes aerial maps and Street Views provided by Google Maps.
Why is my house losing value on Zillow? ›Home sales in your area are affecting the data
Zillow relies on data from neighboring homes to calculate your home value. If homes in your area are selling for under market value, that will affect your estimated home value.
How accurate is a Zillow estimate? On a macro level, the accuracy of Zillow estimates is pretty high. It's impressive that an algorithm can estimate home values on a national scale within a 2.5% margin of error. However, most home sellers are concerned about the accuracy of Zestimates on a micro level.
Why is Zillow estimate so much higher than realtor com? ›
Is Realtor.com or Zillow more Accurate? This is another frequently asked question from home sellers and buyers. The main difference between Realtor.com home values and Zillow Zestimates is that Zillow uses its own program to create a Zestimate, while Realtor.com uses several 3rd parties to provide multiple home values.
How do I get more views on my real estate listing? ›- Share Your Listings on Social Media. ...
- Promote on Real Estate Aggregator sites. ...
- Create a video tour of the property. ...
- Enhance the listing with additional information. ...
- Blog about your listings. ...
- Feature your listing on your home page. ...
- Be Smart, have a Mobile Responsive Site.
The views and saves counter will only show the values from the most recent 30 days. You may notice your views and saves counter fluctuate once these 30 days are past, as you are no longer seeing the values from days outside of the current 30-day window.
What does likely to sell faster on Zillow mean? ›Listings that receive more favorites on Zillow sell faster and for more money.
Who has the most accurate home value estimator? ›Zillow. Zillow's Zestimate is one of the best-known home value estimators out there, and like with Chase, all you need to use it is the home's address. Per the company's website, the median error rate for Zestimates is 2.4 percent for on-market homes and 7.49 percent for off-market homes.
Is zestimate close to appraisal? ›How Accurate Is Zestimate vs Appraisal? A professional real estate appraisal is far more accurate than a Zillow Zestimate. You should keep in mind that Zestimate is just an estimate based on available data, and will often miss vital information on a home's condition and renovations.
How do I estimate the value of my home? ›- Use Online Home Valuation Tools. One of the easiest ways to determine the value of your home is by using an online home valuation tool. ...
- Hire A Professional Appraiser. ...
- Consult A REALTOR® ...
- Pull 'Comps' On Similar Properties.
Click on the Edit Facts icon from the Owner View of the property page. To remove a photo, click on an individual photo and click Remove Photo. Remove all your photos, then select Save Changes. Having problems getting this done at Zillow?
What is the best order for real estate photos? ›In general, this means public rooms like the living room go first, followed by the kitchen and then each bedroom followed by the bathrooms (include ensuite bathrooms with each respective bedroom, if that applies to your home).
Can you remove your house information from Zillow? ›Remove from Zillow and Trulia
For FSBO sellers with homes displayed on Zillow and Trulia, it's easy to remove your listing: Log in to your Zillow profile. Go to your listing and select Owner view. Click More and navigate to Cancel listing.