Can I Sell My House on Craigslist in Philadelphia?

With over 61 million visitors each month, Craigslist is a major hub for selling almost anything. It’s one of the most well-known selling websites in the United States. There’s no shortage of real estate on Craigslist, with countless commercial and residential property listings.

Despite its popularity, is selling a house on Craigslist a good idea? Is it safe? And do you get a good return? These are common questions asked about selling a house in Philadelphia online. Keep reading and we’ll discuss whether you can sell a house on Craigslist, and how to do it safely.

Can I Sell My House on Craigslist?

In short, yes, you can sell your house on Craigslist. According to the Washington Post, over 1 million rental listings were counted on Craigslist at any one time. The number of houses for sale is suspected to be even higher. House prices on Craigslist vary from city to city, but you can find properties listed from $20,000 to $500,000. Because Craigslist reaches homebuyers everywhere, from smaller towns to large cities, it can be a great choice of site.

While selling a house on Craigslist will skip various real estate agent fees, it’s important to use the site properly. How you describe the home and which pictures you use can make or break your post. Research how others are posting properties in Philadelphia on Craigslist, and utilize similar strategies that you think will work well. It’s also important to ensure you list the property for the right price. Speak to a real estate agent to get an offer on your property before listing.

How to Sell a House on Craigslist in Philadelphia

Selling a property on Craigslist is very straightforward. You can list your house for sale in a matter of minutes for free and find a great buyer. But proceed with caution. Scams are rife on Craigslist, so you want to make sure you aren’t getting caught out. If you’re seriously considering selling a house to someone on the site, do your due diligence to check them out before proceeding.

First, it’s a good idea to speak to the buyer on the phone. This confirms they are a real person and that they live where they say they live. It also deters scammers, as they may not want to put in the effort of discussing the matter over the phone.

Provided you feel comfortable, you may want to also meet the inquirer in person before inviting them into your home for a viewing. This helps to verify their ID and ensures you’ll feel safe letting them into the property for a viewing. Remember, if you’re meeting someone from Craigslist, always meet in a public place, like a coffee shop.

Secondly, make sure you hire a professional to draw up contracts for the sale. Hiring a transaction coordinator is often the most affordable option. These professionals can draw up a contract that works for both parties, while also ensuring the transfer of deeds happens lawfully.

Bear these additional tips in mind when selling a house on craigslist:

• Use a temporary email address: Don’t use your own email address, as it’ll likely get filled with spam. Set up a new email and use that only for your listings. It’ll make trawling through the spam easier and won’t disrupt your normal mail.
• Send and receive money legitimately: Do your research into the best way to send and receive payments for your property. Receiving money outside of the platform is only a good idea if there are measures in place to protect you.
• Remove geotags from the location: Don’t list the exact location of your property in the listing and remove geotags. This keeps your address confidential and protects your property from intruders. This is particularly important if you’re selling a vacant property.

How to Sell a House Fast In Philadelphia

At the end of the day, Craigslist can be a great tool for many things. However, to sell something that has so much value, like a house in Philly, is another story. You want to get top dollar for it. Selling a house on Craigslist can work out, but there’s a ton of risk. Marketing the property in the right way and finding a good buyer are just the starting points. Selling the property lawfully and avoiding a scam can be tricky, no matter how much due diligence you do.

If you’re looking for a way to sell your house fast in Philadelphia, Brotherly Love Real Estate is here to help. We buy houses in Philadelphia in any condition for a fair price. When selling your house to a property investor (like us), you can avoid the hassle of cleaning, renovating, and working with real estate agents.

We recommend using all the tools to educate yourself and learn about the property market in Philadelphia. However, when it comes to selling your property fast and for top dollar, you can count on companies like us to perform. We are real local people that are here to provide solutions to you, whatever your situation may be.

Call Brotherly Love Real Estate today at (215) 769-9875 to get a free valuation on your property today.