Even though the market has shifted in the last couple of years from a sellers to buyers market, there is still much growth in the Houston area. Katy is no exception. As a realtor, you cannot sell a home without a real estate sign out front. Many real estate signs are generic or must be branded with the national companies information. If you get to customize your own signs, we want to speak with you! Although we can create any real estate signs, we really love to help realtors who can brand themselves to stand out from the crowd.
Custom Vs Basic
A custom sign allows your creativity to shine through. It can set a realtor apart from the pack and get them noticed. A basic sign, is well, basic. Don’t get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with basic as long as the main message is clear, branding is represented correctly and agent’s name and contact info are included. Some basic signs may not contain the most important information-how to contact the realtor. Often times with national brands, we find that the phone number associated with the realty company is not for the agent but the local office. One thing that the basic sign may have over the custom sign is the national company branding recognition. If you see a hot air balloon on a red, white and blue sign, you know what brand that is right away. Honestly though, we do not feel the brand is why someone chooses a realtor; It is the person who is chosen. I personally have never chose a house to buy or realtor to sell my own home because of the company represented.
What type of material is best?
Let’s discuss the types of real estate signs available. First, how do you intend your sign to be displayed? It can hang from an L-post or placed inside a Metal H frame. Whichever you choose is primarily the realtor’s preference. Next, you choose the material. There is coroplast, PVC and metal, and pricing ranging from least to most respectively. Let’s look at the pro’s and cons of each.
- Coroplast-inexpensive, lightweight, temporary, can see the lines of the plastic underneath your print, can easily bend and warp.
- PVC-cost effective, little more durable than coroplast but can still bend and warp in the weather, lightweight, lasts longer than plastic.
- Metal-2 types-Aluminum and ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) Both cost more than the other 2 options but is a more permanent solution, rigid, professional appearance, resists bending and warping, heavier than the other options but the ACM compared to the aluminum is more lightweight and thicker due to the plastic core.
So now you have the facts of the materials. Which is best? Well that depends on the realtor, the budget and the end use. If you are a part time realtor, you may not want to invest in the long term sign so coroplast may be your best choice. On the other hand, if you are a dealing with luxury home sales, you do not want to use a plastic sign for this type of client. Speaking with your sign company and seeing what they suggest based on your needs is something we do every day!
What is considered a good Real Estate Sign?
A good real estate sign should consist of at least 3 components:
- The Realtor’s name
- If the home is for sale, for lease, or rent
- The Realtor/company contact information
Everything else is just gravy. QR codes, taglines, excessive contact info., website… These are all not necessary and if too much is on the sign, it can become too busy. If you need to add additional information, why not utilize the rider. A rider allows for additional pertinent info so that you can keep the main sign uncluttered. Riders are usually 6″ high and the width of the frame that holds it. This doesnt allow for a lot of extra info., so keep that in mind when designing it. Most options for riders are denoting if the home is for sale, lease, rent and then they sometimes include specifics of the home, such as Gorgeous Inside, Pool/Spa, Media Room, etc..
Whether you are a new realtor or one who is seasoned and looking for a way to re-brand yourself, we are happy to work within your brokerage and company sign rules. If they do allow you to include some of your own branding, we can create the design or run with your own concept. Either way, we will print a sign that gets you noticed and one that you can be proud of that represents your own personal brand. Give us a call at 832-222-9385 and set up a time to stop in and see all the many signs we have created for realtors just like you!
