The way that houses are sold is continually changing.
Not long ago, putting a for sale sign outside your house was essential for finding a buyer. Without this method, people would simply never know that you were looking to sell in the first place.
But in an increasingly digital age, some people have questioned whether a sign is still needed. We’ve explained some of the different schools of thinking in the blog below.
Keep reading for all the information you need.
Do I have to have a for sale sign outside my house?
It is no longer compulsory to have a for sale sign outside your house.
There are plenty of other ways to let people know your property is on the market, such as Rightmove, Zoopla, and advertisements in local magazines.
Indeed, some people prefer to avoid having a for sale sign out the front. We have explained more about this below.
Some estate agents will provide you with the sign and encourage you to put it on your front garden. But, there is no obligation to do so, and you are well within your rights to say no.
Will an estate agent provide me with a for sale sign?
Yes, if you want them to, most estate agents will provide you with the for sale sign. You are not expected to source this sign yourself.
Of course, not all estate agents bother with this method of advertising. So, you should clarify this before entering a contract, if you really want one.
Estate agents only provide signs to customers that they represent. If you are selling on your own, without an estate agent, you will need to find another way to get a sign.
Advantages of having a for sale sign
There are lots of people that prefer traditional methods of searching for houses. Not everyone uses online platforms such as Rightmove.
By having a sign out front, all types of buyers are made aware of your listing.
A for sale sign also increases the visibility of your house. A friend of a neighbour, or someone walking by, might have their interest piqued by the sign.
Indeed, some potential homeowners drive around their desired area until they see a sign somewhere, and then enquire.
There may also be practical advantages to having a for sale sign.
For example, if you are hosting an open viewing day, the sign will make it crystal clear which property is yours and stop people getting lost.
Disadvantages of having a for sale sign
If the house is empty while you are looking for a buyer, putting a for sale sign out front could be a risk.
Some people feel that it alerts potential burglars and squatters to the fact that no one is living there. This is particularly clear if the house has a large driveway with zero cars on it.
As a second scenario, some people find it slightly embarrassing to have a for sale sign if the transaction drags on.
For example, if you do not find an interested buying in six months, it can feel humiliating for your neighbours, friends or family to see this.
In some cases, neighbours snoop around a house because it is for sale. They might book a viewing with no intention of buying the property. This might feel like an invasion of privacy.
It may be a disadvantage to have a ‘for sale’ sign if you have already found a suitable buyer.
Although you don’t want to close off your options, things can get complicated if you are receiving lots of offers. You may feel vulnerable and likely to make a poor choice.
How much does a for sale sign cost on my own?
There are plenty of companies in the UK that provide generic for sale signs at around £10, including delivery.
If you want a more personalised one with your phone number or email address, then you will need to pay upwards of £25.
You could also make a sign yourself out of materials at home.
When should I take a for sale sign down?
At the time of writing, estate agents can leave a for sale sign up for up to 14 days after a property has sold.
Many estate agents choose to then put up a new ‘sold’ sign once contracts have been exchanged.
If you’re moving into a property with a sold sign, you can call the estate agent and ask them to remove it or take it down and dispose of it yourself.
Some estate agents will advertise a successful sale in local magazines. You may be able to ask them not to do this, if you wish.
Speak to an expert for more guidance if you need it.
