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Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
 
 Topics and Answers

General Overview
 
Q:  How does HomesByOwner.com work?
 
A:  HomesByOwner.com is actually 362 individual Metro sites within one National site.  We've built a site for each Metropolitan Area in the country.  Whether you're selling your home or looking for one to buy, simply select the Metro Area you're interested in.  If you're interested in an area that's not part of a Metro Area, simply select the Metro Area that's closest.

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Q:  How does the HomesByOwner.com Marketing Strategy work?
 
A:  Our complete FSBO Marketing Strategy will Maximize the Impact of your advertising efforts and save you valuable time as well.
All of your marketing and advertising has the goal of informing the prospect about your property.  Your intention is to screen out the people who are not interested, and get appointments to show the property to those who are interested.  Our strategy holds to a basic premise that "an informed prospect is a good prospect."  Someone who knows very little about your property can waste a lot of your time by asking basic questions and having you tour them through your house, only to determine they're not interested.  If they'd had more information upfront, they may have never bothered you to begin with.  Empowering everyone with full information before they call to make an appointment will maximize the effectiveness of your time.  More good prospects will call to set appointments, and less bad prospects will call and waste your time.
There are several ways that a prospective buyer can find out about your property for sale.  And if you're using the HomesByOwner.com Marketing Strategy, you will receive maximum benefit from each.  Our strategy is built around the concept of Synergy, where each marketing method compliments and strengthens the next.
The four basic marketing/advertising tools that each home seller should use are:
  • Signs:  This includes a Yard sign and Directional (pointer) signs.
  • Photo Flyers:  Detailed brochure with a Photo.  You should distribute these freely using an "Info-Tube" attached to your yard sign.
  • Internet Advertising:  No advertising is more powerful than an easily accessible comprehensive description of your property accompanied by up to 20 large color photos!
  • Classified Advertising:  Small classified ads in your local Sunday newspaper become very powerful when you send prospects to your web page for additional information.

Two of the above tools give detailed information about your property:  The Photo Flyer and the Internet ad.  Tie all four marketing tools to each other and you will receive Maximum Impact from all of them. 
Your yard sign announces that your property is for sale and gives your phone number.  But it also distributes Photo Flyers, and displays the web address to your property.  Buyers who drive by can easily pick up your Photo Flyer (an important "Hard Copy" that they can take with them).  The Photo Flyer gives complete details about the property, your phone number for an appointment, and also displays your web address.  Your classified advertising gives the basic information on your property and directs the prospect to your ad on the web for detailed information including large color photos, where they can also print a Photo Flyer.  
Your Internet ad is the main marketing tool that all others are integrally tied to.  It has the ability to quickly, easily, and colorfully give complete information about your property.  It even provides a detailed map of your property location, an "E-Mail this Photo Flyer to a Friend" feature, and a handy mortgage calculator.  And all this for a fraction of the cost of any of the other marketing tools available to you.  
Use every one of your marketing tools to complement the other.  The HomesByOwner.com Marketing Strategy will save you time, and Maximize the Impact of your advertising dollar!

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Advertise Your Home
 
Q:  I want to sell my home.  How do I advertise it on HomesByOwner.com?  How much does it cost?
 
A:  It's very easy!  Simply select the Metro Area where your home is located (or the Metro Area that your home is closest to) and follow the instructions.
Most Metro Areas offer the ability to advertise your property.   Click on the link that says "Advertise Your Home"
 
 
Q:  How do I upload my photos?
 
A:  HomesByOwner.com makes it very easy for you to upload your own photos.  The information in this section assumes that you already have your photos stored on your computer, floppy disk, etc.  
If you don't have a scanner or digital camera to accomplish this, see below.  You can display up to twenty (20) photos of your property.  
You can upload your photos immediately after placing your advertisement by clicking on the "Continue" button.  Then click "Add Photo" and follow the simple instructions.  
Or you can add your advertisement now, and then add your photos later, by logging into the FSBO User Center and clicking "Add Photo."
Your photos must be in a JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) format.  To make your ad look its best, the photo(s) should be 475 pixels wide, or wider.  If you upload a photo that is more than 475 pixels wide, our system automatically re-sizes your photo down to 475 pixels wide.  If you upload a photo that is less than 475 pixels wide, our system will not re-size the photo and it will remain its original size.
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Q:  I don't have a scanner or digital camera.  How do I get my photos online?
 
A:  You have three additional options for getting your photo(s) online.  (If you already have your photos on your computer, floppy disk, etc., see above.)
  1. Ask a friend who has a scanner or digital camera to help you.  Then follow the instructions above.
  2. When you have your photos developed, most stores now offer an option of having your photos saved on a Compact Disc (CD), in addition to your regular prints, for just a few extra dollars.  Use this CD to upload your photos using the instructions above.
  3. If you have a CD with your photos, HomesByOwner.com will upload them for you or WE WILL EVEN TAKE THEM FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE.
Write your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, USER NAME, and PASSWORD on the back of the CD package and send it to:
HomesByOwner.com
P.O. Box 988
Tampa, Fl. 33601    
If you want the CD returned, you must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
 
Photo Flyers (Fact Sheets)
 
Q:  What is a Photo Flyer?  Why do I need one?
 
A:  A Photo Flyer is an informational brochure (with a Photograph) about your property.  These are a very important part of marketing your property, as you will certainly want all prospective buyers to have a nice looking, informational "fact sheet" about your property once they get home.  You will also want to attach an "Info-Tube" or mailbox to your yard sign and always keep it stocked with Photo Flyers so that interested buyer prospects can quickly retrieve one and call you for an appointment. 
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Q:  How do I get Photo Flyers?
 
A:  HomesByOwner.com will make them for you for free!  Once you submit your advertisement and photo, you will have an option to view and print your professional photo flyer directly from the web page!  You can print beautiful Full Color photo flyers!  Or for higher volume (to distribute via your yard sign), you'll want to print a black and white copy, take it to your local copy shop,  and get several hundred copies made.
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How do we compare to other Flat Fee or For Sale By Owner Websites?
 
Q:  Some Offer a FREE E-book?
 
A:  Many sites require you to complete your contact information   for a lead generation to be sold or given to higher fee real estate agents. HomesByOwner.com gives you FREE tips, marketing plans, information and answers on our site with no forms to complete and will answer questions not on our site via secure e-mail or telephone anytime.
 
 
 
Q:  What about Real Estate Forms?
 
A: some offer a generic sample forms or offer forms for a fee; (key issue; the form supplied may lack specific information or laws about selling homes in the state where you home is located). We provide you with forms specific to your area and to fit your needs and all addendums for FREE
 
 
 
 
 
Q:  Home valuation or what is my home worth?
 
A:  Many offer a home evaluation for a fee or send you to a site where you can order an appraisal. We send you FREE comparables including all active (your competition) and homes that have sold and expired so you can make an informed decision about the price to list your home or even help you decide to sell or not to sell. We are here to help you no matter what your decision is. Key issue; WE ARE A NATIONAL COMPANY WITH LOCAL REPRESENTATION AND KNOW YOUR MARKET!!
 
 
 
Q: How long is my home, property or business advertised?
 
A: We have yet to find anyone who can beat us!! With HomesByOwner.com your home is advertised until it sells or you tell us to remove it, not just 180 days!!
 
 
Q: Signs; We always supply you with 3 signs at no additional charge!!
 
A: Depending on the program you choose you will either receive a HomesByOwner.com yard sign or a Professional Real Estate Company yard sign and always two directional signs.
 
 
Q: What about a lockbox?
 
A: We have lockboxes available for a fee to suit your needs from a combination lockbox to a secure Realtor lockbox; we even have programs that include a FREE secure Realtor lockbox.
 
 
Q:  How may photos of my home, property or business are displayed and will you take them?
 
A:  We offer up to 20 professional photos of your property and surrounding area and we will even take the photos for you!! No one else offers that!!
 
 
 
 
Q:  What if I don’t feel comfortable with the paperwork; will you help me with paperwork?
A:  Many companies offer for a fee a telephone consultation or nothing at all. A few offer assistance from a Title company where you must make an appointment and could loose your buyer from too much time wasted and still most often for an added fee. At any time prior to contract, if you are not comfortable completing the paperwork needed for the sale of your home we can help. Simply upgrade to our Realtor service and we are right there with you immediately to assist every step of the way through closing!! We also credit you what you have already paid and you end up paying less than 1%*!!
 
 
 
Q:  Are you local or some big national company?
A:  We are the local representation for a national website, this means we are in your neighborhood and know your market. We come to your home, meet with you face to face and are here for you at any time.
 
*Less than 1% is based on sales price of $140,000. or more. If less than
$140,000 still an excellent deal and at or just over 1%. Hard to beat!!


This site managed by Collier & Associates Real Estate, LLC
a FL licensed Real Estate Brokerage
Call (813) 435-1000 with any questions you
may have about advertising on this site.
 
Serving Homes For Sale By Owner throughout Tampa Bay
from the Sunshine Skyway to Hernando County!

 

Sell your home, condo, property, land, farm with Flat Fee MLS , Internet Advertising or Reduced Fee/Discount Full Service Realtor, Real Estate Service in; 

 
Hillsborough County: Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Carrollwood Village, Dover, Gibsonton, Lithia, Lutz, Mango, Orient Park, Plant City, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Sun City Center, Temple Terrace, Tampa, Thonotosassa, Valrico, New Tampa

Pinellas County: Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, Ozona, Crystal Beach

Pasco County: Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey, Odessa, Port Richey, San Antonio, Shady Hills, St. Leo, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Hudson, Moon Lake,

Hernando County: Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Brooksville,Pine Island, Bay Port, Hernando Beach, Aripeka, Masayktown, Royal Highlands, Stafford, Lake Lindsey, Spring Lake, Istachatta, Nobletown

                              


 

 




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