NYTimes Sunday Paper Ad

hi radiator!

contrary to popular belief, many people still read the sunday times real estate section to get their information. the print ads are quite costly, but they will be seen by many buyers and brokers.

many factors determine the ads success. the property's location, type of apartment, a realistic listing price, a real address and valid contact info. i'm sure you'll have lot's of brokers contacting you to see it in hopes of getting you to list with them. savvy buyers will also try to take advantage of a fsbo - the thinking is that they're not well informed. regardless, if you have experience buying and selling on your own, give the print ad a shot - as well as the web based ad. you never know.

the key is to price it realistic to current market conditions among other things. but, since you're using streeteasy, i'm sure you're pretty savvy.

good luck.

best,

- rudy (the broker)
www.kioskrealty.com

Having done a number of very successful FSBO sales, I do not agree that a NYT print ad is a wise expenditure of money. This is what I have always done in the past that has brought excellent results -

1. Hire a professional photographer and apartment stylist/stager to come in and style/photograph your apartment. If you have a terrific sense of style, you can stage it yourself, of course, but you have to be very careful and honest if you're really talented enough to do this. There's no substitute for professional photography. This would include 'blowing out' the windows if they have a lousy brick wall view, shooting the photographs in a panoramic style to accentuate the space, etc. The expense is well justified.

2. Either write terrific copy about your unit or hire someone to do so. By scrolling through and viewing a number of different listings, you should find plenty of ideas that act as good templates for your text - as well as awful ideas that will help you see what to avoid.

3. Have a clear and easy to understand floorplan created via computer.

4. Once the three basics above have been created, skip the NYT paper and load everything direct on to the NYT real estate web pages - that's where I believe everybody starts their search, as the paper can't show pics or floor plans. With multiple great looking professional pics that are styled beautifully to show off your place, a clear floor plan, and excellent copy that describes all the amenities of your unit, building, and neighborhood, you're off to a great start. Make sure that you have a link to your FSBO website listed next....

5. Create a website (or have one created if you can't do it) to link the NYT online real estate ad for further detailed information. The website should have a fuller description of the unit and environs, additional pictures, the open house info, the info regarding whether you accept potential buyer's brokers or not, contact info, and all other details. Make sure the website is handsome, easy to navigate, and all information is laid out in a clear and concise manner.

6. Print out your website on quality, thick, glossy paper with all pics and info to give away as take-away sheets during your open house. Make absolutely, positively sure that before each and every open house your place has been spotlessly cleaned and styled so that potential clients can find nothing wrong/questionable about hygiene related issues. Put away all your crap. Even make sure that all drawers and cabinets (fridge/freezer too!) have been cleaned and organized so that when people open the drawers and cabinets that everything looks supre neat, clean, and sparkles.

I think these are the tools for a FSBO that will bring success in the NY market. In addition, it sort of goes without saying that you've already spent considerable time investigating the comps in your building and area in person by going to many, many open houses, and have a clear understanding of the market so that you are pricing your FSBO correctly.