by Melanie Marten

Created on: September 09, 2008

The internet provides the largest group of potential home buyers in the world. Why not incorporate free internet advertising into you home sale marketing plan?

For sheer ease and popularity, the free classified site Craigslist.org is the tops. Not only do millions of people use the service every day, it is one of the simplest methods for posting targeted classified ads online.

But how do you use Craigslist to sell your house?

The first steps start away from the classified site itself. Take some time to write a compelling house ad before loading it onto the computer. Include all basics such as square footage, number of rooms and room sizes, a description of storage space including attic, basement, and closets, and any special accents such as a deck or swimming pool. These facts should form the beginning of your classified ad.

The next step includes taking pictures. Nothing will help sell a house on Craigslist faster than a lot of quality pictures. Take some time to stage your house by straightening up gardens, mowing the lawn, and putting out a nice welcome mat. Then take a quality picture of the front of the house. Also take pictures of the rear of the house, and every single room. Concentrate on taking pictures that make the rooms seem large and bright. Pay special attention to bathrooms and the kitchen as long as they are well-decorated.

Host these pictures on a website or free photo hosting site online and include the links to all of them on the Craigslist advertisement. Be sure to label each link with what it is a picture of. Make viewing the ad as easy as possible for any potential home buyers or they will click away.

After you have the basic dimensions and parts of the house listed, and plenty of pictures posted, it is time to get busy selling the house more thoroughly. Begin by describing the positive points of the house itself. Anything new should be listed: roof, windows, wall-to-wall carpeting, or cabinets. Start using more enticing language instead of simply posting the facts. Perhaps the eat-in-kitchen is perfect for family meals. Maybe the living room provides ample space to relax after a hard day at work.

Be sure to give information about the yard and landscaping as well. Is it professionally landscaped? Do you have acreage? A fenced in yard? A storage shed out back? The phrase, "perfect for kids" can be a big draw to parents looking to buy a larger home for their family.

Including Craigslist in your marketing plan for your house is a smart decision. Post a quality advertisement and watch the offers roll in.

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