Pushing Dirt

I use any number of means to market my commercial properties: costar, loopnet, google base, craigslist, washington post ads, direct mail, email blasts, cold calling, etc. etc. When it comes to selling buildings, there’s still nothing that beats brokers.

When I market empty buildings, I need to reach out to cooperating brokers. Larger users of space got successful by leaning on trusted advisers. They are represented by brokers 95% of the time.

When I market larger investment property, I start with my own relatively conclusive list of owners and investors across the mid-Atlantic. Once I’ve gotten the word out to that list, I expand my efforts to include the cooperating brokerage community.

Most of the buyers the internet brings me are still “small potatoes:” they might buy a $300,000 condo from me, but rarely are they in the market for that $10 million free standing warehouse. I’m not worried about being disintermediated yet (a word we real estate brokers made up I think). The process of buying real estate is still complicated…a lot more complicated than buying a stock.

I have a client that posts his commercial properties twice a day to craiglist to ensure they remain that the top of the list.

This is against the terms of service (TOS).

That said, I believe it is ok to cancel and repost listings every 48 hours.

I find with craigslist that being at the top of the list makes a huge difference. Calls definitely trail off after about 24 hours. Do what you can within the craigslist TOS to maintain a high position.

In the spirit of the “Four Hour Work Week” philosophy, once you’re up and running, pay someone else to maintain your posts. It is low yield kind of work.

I list my warehouse for sale in craigslist. I get my share of wackos, but also some great leads. Consider using it.

costar and loopnet leave a lot to be desired. there’s room for a free advertising driven solution. bring it on and it will thrive.