For Sale signs: Yes or no?

Much has been said and written about estate agents' For Sale signs - and many home sellers have doubts about allowing them to be displayed on their properties for fear of putting their privacy and security at risk.

"But having a For Sale sign outside your home is still one of the most effective means of advertising your home," says Gerhard Kotzé, MD of the RealNet estate agency group. "In fact, we find that such signs not only generate additional interest but still often lead directly to sales".

In short, the "pros" far outweigh the "cons" associated with For Sale signs - and sellers can easily avoid being invaded by competing agents or unqualified buyers by following some simple procedures, he says.

"Firstly, the point must be made that the seller is at all times in control of the marketing of his or her property and should give written permission for any For Sale sign to be displayed."

Secondly, says Kotzé, one of the many advantages of awarding an exclusive mandate is that there will only be one For Sale sign on the property - which the seller should insist is marked with the words "Exclusive Mandate" so that other agents will be aware of the situation.

"Thirdly, sellers should never display 'For Sale By Owner' or 'Private Sale' signs that carry their own private phone numbers. "Rather give your mandate to a reputable agency and let your agent field the calls from prospective buyers and pre-qualify them before arranging for them to view your home at a time that suits you. This protects both your privacy and security."  

And finally, he says, sellers should be aware of their local bylaws regarding For Sale signs (and any other type of signage on their property) and deal only with agents that adhere to these regulations.

"For example, even if sellers do award more than one mandate, they should be aware that most city bylaws restrict the number of signs that may be displayed per property to one per agency - and a total of two.

"The bylaws usually also cover the size, shape and condition of the signs that may be used, and reputable agents will of course ensure that no unsightly boards detract from the appearance of the property."