Where do buyers come from?

The largest pool of buyers come from buyers working with a REALTOR® searching for properties using the MLS. Then, studies show that over 75% of buyers search the internet before ever contacting a REALTOR®. Surprisingly, the next highest come from drive-bys seeing a For Sale sign in your yard. The pool of buyers decrease significantly from here. The least effective way to attract buyers to your home or property are advertising and open houses. These activities are marketing vehicles primarily for REALTORS®. There are exceptions⁽¹⁾. Also, see marketing plans. The following is a graphical way to represent the source of buyers.

SOURCE OF BUYERS ON A RELATIVE SCALE
(for illustrative purposes only)

MLS (agents bring buyers)

Internet

For Sale Sign

Personal Referrals

REALTOR® Referrals

RE/MAX Relocation Network

Office Walk-ins

Past Clients

Advertising

Public Open Houses

(1) Advertising becomes more important on high end properties and then it needs to be focused on the ammenities of the property and placed in more elite publications such as The Wall Street Journal and RE/MAX Renowned Properties.