Advertising

How to write a for sale by owner ad that gets more calls

The FSBO ads that get the most calls answer the buyer's first question, "can I afford this?", before anything else. Put a financing header at the top ("Zero Down Must Qualify / Bad Credit Money Down / Buy This House"), use at least four bright photos, and keep the description short, factual and easy to scan.

By Colton Kumar, No Commission System · Last updated

Key points
  • Lead with affordability, not adjectives.
  • Four photos minimum: front, kitchen, living room, a bedroom.
  • List the facts buyers filter by: price, beds, baths, size, lot, taxes.
  • More calls means a faster sale.

The header: Zero Down Must Qualify / Bad Credit Money Down

Most private ads look the same. A header that says buyers with bad credit or no down payment can still buy makes yours stand out and uses your advertising to its fullest. It opens your home to buyers the banks turn away, and the private lender qualifies them before they ever book a showing.

A title that gets clicked

Formula: [Beds]-bed [type] in [neighbourhood] | Zero Down Must Qualify. Example: "3-bed bungalow in Forest Lawn | Zero Down Must Qualify | Bad Credit Money Down".

Photos that work

  • Shoot in daylight with lights on and blinds open.
  • Front exterior first, then kitchen, living room, primary bedroom, bathroom, yard.
  • Hold the phone horizontal at chest height. Declutter counters.

Description template

"Zero Down Must Qualify / Bad Credit Money Down / Buy This House. 3-bed, 2-bath bungalow on a quiet street, 1,150 sq ft plus finished basement. New roof 2022, double garage, fenced yard. Close to schools and transit. Taxes $3,100/yr. Private financing available for qualified buyers. Call or text to book a viewing."

Where to post

Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and local buy-and-sell groups, FSBO websites, a yard sign, and optionally a flat-fee MLS listing. Repost or bump weekly so your ad stays near the top.

Sell it yourself, with more buyers calling

Add the private-financing header to your ad and let our private lender qualify the buyers the banks turn away. No commission, no contract, no obligation. Listing takes about 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the header I put on my ad?

"Zero Down Must Qualify / Bad Credit Money Down / Buy This House." It tells buyers who can't get a bank mortgage that they can still buy your home, so your ad stands out and more people call.

Why would more buyers call with the financing header?

It makes your ad stand out and tells buyers with bad credit or no down payment that they can still buy. More calls means a quicker sale.

Where should I advertise my for sale by owner home in Canada?

Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, FSBO websites, a yard sign and optionally a flat-fee MLS listing.

What do I say when buyers call?

Ask one question: "Do you need the private financing option, as advertised, or are you pre-approved through a bank?" Financing buyers go to the private lender. Pre-approved buyers you handle yourself and book the showing.

Related guides

General information for Canadian home sellers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with a real estate lawyer in your province before you sell.