More and more real estate investors are realizing just how big of a role Craigslist can play in their success. With its 10 million unique visitors a day, Craigslist is a monstrous marketplace. Making it even more beneficial to real estate investors, its ads are listed by city, meaning that everyone who sees your ad was looking for it. While you don’t need to have an account to post free ads on Craigslist, it’s definitely recommended. Doing so allows you to easily edit and delete your ads as necessary. It will also save you time, because you won’t have to wait for an email verification every time you post an ad. Follow these simple steps to open an account:
1. Click My Account on the local Craigslist site.
2. Click Sign up for an account in the bottom left of the page that appears.
3. Enter your email address and the captcha.
4. Click Create Account.
5. This will send an email to you with a link. Open your email and click the link.
6. Enter a password.
7. Read and accept the Terms of Use.
You’re now an official member of Craigslist and ready to take full advantage of what it has to offer. With its user-friendly interface, it is definitely one of the most accessible sites of its kind. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Craigslist way of doing things. Select your city and then conduct a few property searches. This allows you to see how homes are listed and also what your ads will look like to potential customers.
When you post real estate ads on Craigslist, remember to include detailed information. Always include a high quality photo of the property, your contact information and any of the relevant information you would include with a standard MLS listing.
You can also use Craigslist to find handymen and craftsmen. If you have a property that needs work, browse through the “Skilled Trade” category looking for the specific talent needed for the job. You also have the option of posting an ad there yourself, outlining precisely what you are looking for. This is an extremely efficient method of finding qualified workers.
If you have rental properties, post them on Craigslist. Homes, apartments, condos and trailers can all be advertised. As with other ads, it’s important to be as specific as possible. Craigslist offers an incredible amount of exposure to those who are willing to put the time in. It’s a great way to reach a specific audience in the immediate area of your property-something that entrepreneurs pay premium prices for on other websites.
We have used Craigslist VERY successfully in all of rental projects – in Allentown, PA… Kansas City, MO and Myrtle Beach, Sc. However, I find that using Craigslist for sales stuff is an invitation for every real estate investment spam operation to contact me, and I have stopped using the service that way as a result.