Lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend: More homes are listed without “For Sale” signs. Surprisingly, this isn’t always the seller’s choice; some agents are advising their clients that signs are unnecessary. Frankly, this doesn’t make sense to me. Signs provide unmatched exposure.
Weekly, I field multiple calls from buyers driving by my listings, and my QR codes – conveniently displayed on the signs – are scanned daily by those seeking more information. In today’s real estate market, signage remains a critical tool.
When I moved to the mountains from Redlands in the early 1990s, I encountered a different world of real estate customs. Signs, while standard in Redlands, were surprisingly controversial here. For example, I was initially told that real estate signs weren’t allowed in Arrowhead Woods due to an informal, local agreement among agents. This arrangement wasn’t codified but operated as a “gentlemen’s rule” until the mid-2010s. As off-mountain agents began listing properties and installing signs, the informal rule quietly dissolved – there simply wasn’t a mechanism to enforce it.
My curiosity led me to dive into the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) for Arrowhead Woods. These legal documents govern properties in specific tracts, and they revealed some fascinating historical tidbits. For instance, certain tracts allow signs only on vacant lots, while others restrict signage to a now-defunct real estate company. Although these restrictions technically still stand, they are often unknown, outdated or ignored. It makes me wonder: Could there be similar forgotten rules in other tracts outside Arrowhead Woods?
This brings us to today’s question: Is a “For Sale” sign essential or just an optional marketing tool? In some cases, sellers may choose not to have a sign, whether for privacy reasons or because their HOA prohibits them (rare in our mountain communities). That’s completely valid. However, when the absence of a sign is the agent’s decision, it raises red flags.
As agents, we invest in marketing to maximize a property’s visibility. A sign installation costs about $50, not including the initial investment in the sign itself, which averages $100. If an agent is cutting corners by skipping something as inexpensive and effective as a yard sign, what other marketing opportunities are they neglecting?
I firmly believe a “For Sale” sign is more than a piece of marketing – it’s an open invitation to buyers and a signal of commitment to the seller. So, are you Team Sign or Team No Sign?
If you’d like to learn more about the current local market conditions, reach out to Theresa Grant, Real Estate Broker (DRE #01202881), at Theresa@HomesInLakeArrowhead.com. You can also follow on social – Instagram: @theresagrantrealtor|YouTube: @theresagrantrealtor. Theresa is a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty.
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