Selling your condo? Want to save the commission? Don’t have permission to
put up a sign out front? Not as big a problem as you might think. There is
a good possibility that the buyer for your condo can be found with a few
simple actions on your part. For example, someone right in your building
may have a family member, friend, business contact or other who may want to
move in. We suggest that you make up an informative flyer that fully
identifies the description of your condo … e.g. number of bedrooms, baths,
etc. However, first start with an opening sentence that identifies why you
are selling it. People want to know why someone is selling anything. So,
say that your new job starts in three months in Chicago, or that the
children have moved on and you are downsizing. Or that you are pregnant and
need a larger home. Remove the fear that the condo management has just
announced a new capital assessment for all owners! In your flyer, be sure to
identify the unique aspects of your unit …. such as the living room faces
west and the sunset in amazing, or the kitchen gets the morning east light,
or the building has a pool or gym. Or that you are located two block
walking to town or the train station. Get the point? Obviously include all
your contact info. Then take you flyer and put one under every door in your
building. I probably should tell you to get permission from your condo
management to do this, but if it were me, I would just do it. Why? Because
management might say no. Once it is done, it’s done. You can always say
you’re sorry if someone objects later on. Next, take your flyers to all the
other condo’s in your neighborhood. If you can get past the doorman, do the
same thing in each building. If you cant get past the doorman, I’s consider
asking him to either distribute them for you or let you do it and offer him
a $20. If he says no, ask if they have a bulletin board in their mail room.
Next, distribute your flyer to EVERY business within walking distance of
your condo. Don’t pass by the small business owner with only two employees.
He may have to travel 20 miles a day to open his shop and the thought to
live a block away from work might be very appealing to him. Suggest that he
might also want to buy the condo via his business so that he can write off
the rent. You never know what may motivate someone … don’t second guess
them. Obviously, if you have any large companies in your neighborhood
(within a few miles) they are a great prospect. Get to the human resources
people as they may have a new employee moving into the area and you may be a
perfect fit. Last, take out an ad in your local newspaper. There is no
realtor on the planet who could do more than you in this regard. In fact,
most real estate agents will not do all of this … or cant do most of this.
And best of all, if you do it, you’ll save thousands of dollars in
commissions.
