Signs of the times

It's becoming more difficult to utilize Open House and directional signs to help potential buyers find a home. Here in San Marcos the City Council has determined that no signs can be placed, directional or otherwise, on public rights of way. Thus, any sign must be placed on private property, making it much more difficult to see, and also requiring a request from the property owner to actually use the property to place the sign.

It's a sign of the times. Even the cities don't want to be bothered with "written" materials any longer. Their mantra is get your info from the media, i.e. TV or web, and stop using up trees to just get directions.

For me, this is a good thing. Open House signs can be placed by lots of real estate folks who just aren't willing to do much work, but just want a quick fix. By buying and placing lots of signs indiscriminately around a neighborhood, these real estate people are trying to catch a client with some sticky paper.

Well, for me, I think I'll try to actually INVITE people to come to my Open Houses, and I'll give them reason to do so, very good directions, and more. I'll do this with my blog, my web site, my internet presence and acumen, and I think both myself and the buyers will be better off for it.

If you have a similar situation with signage in your area, please let me know what you and others are doing to accommodate the wishes of the community, your sellers, and the buyers.