Please critique my advertising, all suggestions welcome

Please critique my advertising, all suggestions welcome

Investor · Mendocino County CA, now living overseas · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 0 votes

My husband and I put a lot or time and money into renovating a family owned property over the past year, intending to use it as a rental in the future. Meanwhile the home owner passed away in June and since then we learned that refinancing the property will not be possible now that I am the owner (self-employed). We had a tenant in the property for 4 months covering expenses, but now need to make decisions about marketing for sale.

I have tested FSBO ads on craigslist and Zillow so far. We have good photos, but don't live in the area so won't be able to do showings without involving a realtor or paid property manager. Currently looking into auction sale vs listing with a realtor. We can't afford to let it sit on the market long-term, but of course also not wanting to lose our renovation investment. Any suggestions from experienced sellers/buyers?

This is a popular lower budget vacation home area in the mountains, about 2 hours drive from the Bay Area. I am including partial ad text here for critique:

$245,000 Home with Scenic Mountain View

2 Bed, 1 Bath house plus large bonus room with separate entrance (County records show 1 bedroom). 890 sq ft with 288 sq ft deck. Great location with the best mountain views in the neighborhood. Move-in ready for full time living, vacation home, or turn-key rental.

Vermont Castings airtight woodstove with vintage ceramic art tile hearth
Electric baseboard heaters
Propane tank on site; house plumbed for propane
Bonus Room 168 sq ft, separate entrance and heating, plumbed for hot and cold water. Suitable for office or additional bedroom.

2025-2026 improvements:
New roof and new gutters with screen covers
New vinyl plank flooring
New light fixtures and electrical upgrades
New kitchen stove and hood
New washing machine
New window blinds/curtains
New metal baluster railings installed around the deck and off-street parking area
10 cubic yards fresh gravel spread on walkways and parking area
Deck stained and sealed
the 2-bedroom septic system was recently pumped and inspected, new risers and lids added
New metal storage shed and all home maintenance tools, supplies, matching materials (paint, tiles, trim, flooring etc.) included with the sale of the property.

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  • Member since 2023 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    1d

    What is the ARV?

  • MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1d

    Pics?

  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    1d

    Pics are what sells so it’s tough to judge without the pics

    7e investments53 Reviews
  • Realtor · Memphis, Shelby County · Member since 2026 · 395 posts · 135 votes
    18h

    Gwendolen, first — I'm sorry for your loss, and congratulations on getting the renovation finished. A few thoughts from the agent side, since you're weighing an auction versus listing with a realtor: the photos really are the listing, especially for a FSBO where there's no agent marketing behind it. Make sure the first photo is the strongest one and that the listing leads with the kitchen, the deck, and the mountain view, since those are what stop the scroll. The other thing I'd think about is showings — buyers will want to see it, and a lockbox plus a local contact for showings can be the difference between a listing that gets interest and one that gets offers. Since you're overseas and time matters, a local agent who can show it and handle the back-and-forth may be worth more than the commission you save going FSBO. Have you had any showings yet, and what feedback are you hearing?

    • Investor · Mendocino County CA, now living overseas · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 0 votes
      16h

      Thank you. I've had these ads running for a month, most inquiries are scams and marketing spam. One inquiry asking if we would consider 190k cash offer, which was too low for us. I may contact this person again to ask if they are interested in negotiation. At this point not getting any new inquiries so ready move on with different marketing methods, pricing etc. Only 2 have asked to see the house. Both were also asking for seller financing, which we are willing to consider, but they weren't serious enough to follow through with any financial info. We have a lockbox with keys set up, but will either have to pay someone per showing or list with a realtor.

  • Investor · Mendocino County CA, now living overseas · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 0 votes
    16h

    There doesn't seem to be a way to add photos directly to my original post so I have to post as a reply. These are some from the current craigslist ad. The mountain view is unique and definitely the selling feature of the house. The house itself is typical for the time period and similar to many others in the area. However there are no other houses in this neighborhood that have the dramatic long distance view.

    7 comparables sold in August and September, nothing more recent: 170k (2 sold), 180k, 202k (2 sold), 239k, 247k.

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