Is craigslist worthless?

Question

I haven't used craigslist in years. Its flooded with wholesalers and owner finance companies. Every ad I've posted gets flagged and removed in minutes.

Is CL dead?

Corby Goade · Answer

Absolutely not! Craigslist is great for picking up a cherry 1987 Corolla. Finding properties and tenants, maybe not.

E.S. Burrell · Answer

@Pete Storseth

I list my rentals on Craigslist and have good results.  To weed out scams, I except phone calls only. No texting. I screen really well and go from there. I wouldn’t eliminate it.

Andrew S. · Answer

As others said, it highly depends on the specific purpose.  I don’t think I would even try to use Craigslist for my rentals in the City - too many tire kickers, crazy inquiries, spamsters/fraudsters.  That said, Over the past 18 months, I sold three different plots of mountain land in Western North Carolina by just posting a couple of ads on Craigslist.  Each property generated about 10-15 inquiries and several viable buyers.  So, in those, more rural areas, Craigslist still works great.

Patrick Liska · Answer

If you can find someone who is honestly selling the property themselves it may be a source, but I don't know if it is all trust worthy. My father passed away a few years ago, immediately afterwards a relative found the house on craigslist listed for rent, someone new he passed and immediately posted it to scam people out of money, I had to contact craigslist to flag it and get it removed.

Christopher B. · Answer

If you scan it daily you will find a deal at some point. I was deal hungry a couple years ago, scanned CL 3x a day. After a few days you know what's old and what is new so it takes 5mins to do or 15mins a day. About 2 months in a house with 2 extra lots hit and I locked it up within the hour. I made $100k+ on the rehab and new build that came from that.

I know a builder that was scanning CL looking for some lots to spec build on. In the description of a listing it said "we'll tear down the old cabin for an extra fee." Long story short, the "old cabin" was built in the 80's in one of the best school districts and most desirable areas in town. He remodeled that cabin and made $125k. The guy was struggling at the time financially, it changed his life.

Deals can be found there from my experience.

Rod Hanks · Answer

@Pete Storseth

Nah it’s still alive and kicking. Just have to know how to use it.

Justin Bauer · Answer

I LOVE CRAIG HE HAS MADE ME A LOT OF MONEY!

George W. · Answer

I put very little effort into craigslist now. Basiaclly gave up on it but still browse it now and then. Every section of it is horrible. The housing section is all wholesalers and spammers. The housing wanted section are all losers who cant afford to pay rent and usually come with many strings attached.

If you acutally have a business and are trying to sell something, the services section is $5/post and all you get are cheap customers, who you wouldn't want as customers anyways. also haven't had any luck on resume or job section when trying to hire. The cars section is also spotty. I've wasted alot of time looking at "MINT" trucks that were polished turds.

Every now and then something good does show up though.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Pete Storseth

I don’t use craigslist at all.  It’s not very reliable and I find it is a waste of my time.  It does depend on what your purpose is.  When I market my rental property I do not use it.  I find other available sources are much more reliable.  Posting rental property on Craigslist is mostly people wanting to buy my property than renting it.

Is craigslist worthless?

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