SarahGray Lamm ~ Chapel Hill / Carrboro / Durham Real Estate Blog ~ Agent Outlier: Sign Language – What You Can Tell From A Real Estate Sign And What You Can't

Signs signs...everywhere a sign...the most disturbing for the new buyer is when the sign does not disappear immediately upon closing...which may take a day or two....it's their house now and they want it gone...yesterday !

Excellent points on the Under Contract rider.  I know that it is exciting when you have a contract, but you don't want to hurt your seller by putting it up too early.

Yesterday afternoon I 'tended' to several signs after a thunderstorm.  Nothing worse than a For Sale sign hanging off the frame.

Sally and David...exactly! And the best reason why we don't see many SOLD signs up around here! The Under Contract comes down on the day of closing and I for one do not want to expect the new homeowner to let me leave my sign hanging out in their new yard!

Wendy, seems like the U/C riders are going up later and later as we deal with some very real contingencies!

Kaye, nothin' worse... ;-)

SarahGray - excellent discussion of signage - the pros and the cons. We see signs all the time that are a mess or have fallen down (especailly on short sales and REOs). It seems to be a mixed bag here about adding "pending" or other riders, as well as sold. Great point about when to use, or not use, the U/C  or pending rider. We see variations in this in teh MLS as well - things are not always noted as pending when they are, and vice cersa.

Jeff

SarahGray:  There are a few in our area that seem to leave a sign out forever.  Not typically the one directly on the property ... but elsewhere.  I think they believe it to be good advertising .. and cheap too.  Me?  I think it loses its' effectiveness after awhile and becomes just part of the scenery.  No one takes it seriously anymore either.  I guess that's another "story" a sign can tell. 

Gene

I'm afraid I must admit that in the recent 'slump' I've had some signs begin to look pretty sad.  I do check on them and replace or spruce them up but you've reminded me to be more diligent.  Signs can be our "first impressions."  Better make it good.

I don'tthe sign riders- never found them to be very useful...  especially with the internet- people know what is going on when theya re interested...

SarahGray - You are a sharp cookie.  I like this post a lot.  I often get people who ask what "pending" means, etc. 

Great reminder to take care of our signs, keep em straight and clean! Thanks SarahGray!

I never divulge the contract price, it's confidential information until the transaction closes.  The only exception to this of course is to the people involved in the transaction.... appraisers, closers, lenders... They all have to know.  I am surprised that any agent would tell what the contract price is, to neighbors or anyone else.  Excellent points and a great post.

I never use a "contract pending" or "under contract" sign rider unless it is previously agreed to between the buyer and the seller. I don't want to jeopardize the seller until the deal is absolutely done -- which these days means after closing and checks are distributed. I don't need a Sold rider to proclaim to the neighbors I got the property sold -- that's what the postcard and emails are for AFTER it CLOSES and is SOLD.  I also call the sign company immediately if the sign is tilting or looks ratty -- hey, that's the property billboard and it should look great!

Thanks for a helpful and well-written post.

SarahGray...

I agree with Leslie ... we don't use "Under Contract" riders, and I do not use sold riders either. It's just my preference to not do so.

SarahGray, there are a few schools of thought around here. Some will not put the under contract sign up because there are still many contingencies to pass. Others won't due to superstition. I usually do, because my sellers like to see that sign, as it makes them feel better when they come home after work. I don't like the "sold" signs, because our sale signs have to come down right around settlement, and under contract does not mean SOLD, as many of us know! :)

just don't expect me to tell you how much the house sold for...until it is closed! That is the first question the neighbors call and ask about when a Pending rider is added.

I love my signs and the bigger the better and for marketing the property is is a must!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post intrigued us as we have been having a discussion about signs in our office this week. Now we will have even more to talk about. 

Hi SarahGray!
Here on the west coast, we have "Pending Sale" and "Sold" signs.  Generally speaking we put up the "Pending Sale" sign up as soon as we are in contract.  Here it is considered bad form to not put up the "Pending Sale" sign as it appears to buyers that drive by that the property is still available for offers.  We put up the "Sold" sign once all of the contingencies have been removed.  The entire sign comes down on the recording date or the next day.  Isn't it interesting how differently we do business considering which end of the country we are working?

Hi Sarah Gray- I agree about not putting a sign up until everything is definate - it hurts so much to have to take that sign down - for the seller and the listing agent! and yes, it can send a bad message too to the buyers out there - and the neighbors, and, and, and.

I use a sale pending or under contract once the home inspection is complete.  Financing I like to see 90% done right in the beginning.  The sellers are the most eager to advertise this milestone.   If a serious buyer is interested they'll call on a sale pending.  Under contract isn't as clear but it sounds more towards sold, in my opinion.

SarahGray -- You make all excellent points. I especially like your point about a badly tended sign. I just saw one today that had tall grass growing around it, was lopsided and faded. The house was barely visible from the road. My impression was that the house was abandoned...as well as the junky sign.  I was wrong.  The listing is active.

Hi SarahGray -- Wow, so well written.  I don't put a pending sign up until all the inspections have been satisfied. I never put up a sold as the sign gets yanked the day of title transfer and I would hate to put one up and the deal (rare) falls through the day before closing, that would look bad.

This is very insightful and I think some agents/sellers never really consider these things.  A very good post.

SarahGray,

That sign out there is certainly the first impression of you and your brokerage. It had better be looking pretty spiffy.

Rich

This is a great post. I don't do the sign riders until about a week after inspections and the sold sign when we get confirmation of recording.

Hello: I think this post is a sign of the times! =) Seriously though, thanks for the great perspective.

Putting up a pending sign doesn't do sellers a favor to early on.  It may reduce interest by neighbors and drivebys.

I do sign riders a lot. "View property", "Pool", "Suite", "Virtual tour address", "I'm Sold...on Terry".

I think sale pending and under contract riders will soon be a thing of the past.  I don't believe they help anyone. 

Also, Open House signage brings on a whole bunch more rules, dilemmas and etiquette issues in our area.  1 per intersection, no balloons, more than 15' from street pavement, not on sidewalk, not in median, 4 signs maximum, ask the neighbors, and so on. 

Thanks for the insight!

Hi Sarah Gray - thanks for the great information.  This will be a topic of dicussion in our office this week. thanks for sharing.

tom

The For Sale Sign should reflect the quality of the agent and the listing property.  I am so glad that you have posted this!  Quality is a hard pitch to sell. Thank you for bringing this topic up for discussion, SarahGray!  

Sarah,

I feel the sign you place in you clients yard should be a direct representation of you as a professional. It can go a long way as to getting future business in the neighborhood.

Sarah, great reminder of the messages and implications signs have on deals.

Hi All! What a nice discussion to wake up to this a.m.! I wrote this post for consumers and I think it is clear from your comments that real estate signage practice is VERY local! Good info for consumers to have when coming from other market areas.  I suppose we train our local areas to understand signage in certain ways by virtue of the fact that we, especially in a smaller market area, tend to follow the protocol generally followed by the other professionals in our area.

I also think it is important to listen to consumers and understand that they do NOT hear things in real estate-ese the same way we do. As Jason said, many wonder what is PENDING and most in my area assume UNDER CONTRACT to mean "don't bother.' Our MLS distinguishes between PENDING and CONTINGENT and I think most local Realtors understand and use the terms in the way MLS defines them...CONTINGENT being a clear message that the seller will consider entertaining back up offers.

I was prompted to write this because of all the questions I have heard this year from sellers, buyers and neighbors about the sign protocol they see around town. My actual practice is much closer to Leslie and Richards, no SOLD sign but rather follow up postcards after closing. UNDER CONTRACT banners are expected here by not only the seller but the neighbors who want to feel good about how homes in their neighborhood sell. They never go up until all contingencies are removed and we are simply awaiting closing.

I'm glad this has engendered a few office discussions and am glad to have all of our thoughts included in your deliberating!

I never put up a "pending" or "under contract" rider until all contingencies are removed. This is an interesting post, as is the discussion that followed.  Thanks!

SarahGray,

Clearly in the minority, I slap that Under Contract topper on as soon as I can. Our MLS requires we change the status upon fully executed contract, so agents know and it disappears from IDX feeds that the public check. I believe the UC topper announces that

1. Someone though the home was the right price-quality combo,
2. Buyers are acting and other buyers shouldn't dawdle or they lose the good one,
3. I get deals done. 

 None of that hurts the seller on the rare occasion the home comes back on the market - might even have a "waiting list" of those hoping for another chance. Never, never do I reveal the contract price and instruct the seller not to either, explaining why it could hurt down the road.

Sarah:

Since much is read into by the public from the appearance of real estate signs we should put a lot of thought into them as well.  An "under agreement" or "sale pending" sign should only go up when when the finance contingency has been met.  But, even then, it is totally taboo to tell anyone what the anticipated sale price is.

 

I put a sold sign or under contract rider as soon as we have an executed contract, because, in our area, if a consumer calls on the sign, if we then tell them it is pending sale or under contract, we are often accused of bait and switch. 

All real estate is local, and that's how it is in my market. 

SaraGray, I used to slap a sale pending/under contract sign on as soon as we got a contract  but got burned with deals falling through. Now I don't put anything on there, agents know it is under contract and the neighbors know when they see the moving van.

Very good points. Very well written. There is the occasional client who doesn't want a yard sign. Any statistics on how often a listing is sold directly through the yard sign and how much new business comes from yard signage?

Great points, and very well explained.  Thanks for the post.

Thanks for a nice, clear summary

We had issued a "clear to close" for docs out to title for a buyer, and prior to signing, the buyer backed out of the deal.  You make some very good points here!

Mike in Tucson

In Sacramento, I rarely put up a pending sign unless the seller specifically requests it. Until the contingencies are removed, some sellers would like to receive back-up offers, especially on my short sale listings. But I do try to put up a sold sign after the contingencies are removed so neighbors know that the home has sold. Neighbors, especially in Land Park, like to know what is going on in their neighborhood. If they see a for sale sign one day and the next day that sign is gone, they don't know what happened.

Another thought about signs: if you use a flyer box, keep it stocked--part of the taking care of the sign and keeping things looking fresh.

My favorite sign is SOLD!  And I always put it up, THAT IS GOOD ADVERTISING!

I put a FSBO under contract for my buyers and the buyers wanted an under contract sign up to show their friends which house they were purchasing.  The seller OK'd it and I got a little advertising.  One local agent called and asked where it was listed,- it wasn't.  'how much was it sold for?'- answer it was under contract for a price agreed on by the seller and buyer.-  cw

With the high amount of inventory out there with "for sale" signs planted in the front yard, I would think agents would want to show the general public that there are "buyers" out there and homes are selling. Not putting an "under contract" sign rider on a property is a misrepresentation of the homes availability and allows the "buyers" that are looking for a home to buy a false impression that the market may be worst than it really is. Nothing makes me happier than to tell a fence sitter that the house they liked is gone.

Very good points about signage. The same questions come up if we add the in escrow sign.

What an interesting discussion of the different customs in different areas around pending/sold signs!  Here they are less common - & I almost never put them up both because it's not a sale until it's closed - and I'm a little superstitious since years ago my very first pending listing had me so excited I rushed right over to put a pending sign up - & the deal fell apart by the end of the week!

A BUSINESS WITH NO SIGN IS A SIGN OF NO BUSINESS.

Similarly, a  business with dilapidated, broken, crooked, faded, or smeared sign is a sign of a dilapidated, broken, crooked, faded, or smeared business.

Realtors, perhaps more than any other businesspeople (except maybe the hot dog wagon guys) rely heavily on signage as a tool.

The real estate signs we see all start to look the same -- just different colors and agency names, so why not spend some out-of-the-box-bun-or-whatever time coming up with something better than what's out there?

Start your creative brainstorming process with a question . . . something like: How many balloons does it take to lift the thing out of the ground and have it float over the property?

Maybe you can't change client attitudes or mortgage company policies or home inspection reports, or bank loan officer thinking -- or the weather -- but signage (like your business card and website) IS something you can totally control.

Remember the only effective billboards (and your signs are mini-billboards) use 7 words or less!

Green is a great color for St. Patrick's Day, but it reminds the sub-conscious of money, and blends invisibly into a nice green lawn and shrubbery.

White lettering on black background suggests death.

Fancy lettering is hard to read in drive-by mode.

Does your sign look like your card and look like your website and look like your ads? (Repetition sells! Repetition sells! Repetition sells!)

Much more --DAILY-- at my blog for entrepreneurial leaders and sales professionals at www.TWWsells.com Stop by for a visit, maybe even a booster shot. Have a great $ale$ week ahead! 

Regards - Hal

Really great discussion! I must say...to the concept that it is or could be construed as deceptive advertising or bait and switch to NOT put up a sign of some variety indicating that there is a pending contract...balderdash! (Cool word, huh?) I would dare anyone to say that they were deceived and harmed by a For Sale sign in a front yard because when they called the listing agent they were told that there was already an acceptable contract on the property and there are still things that needed to be worked out but that they would be welcome to leave contact info should something change or they could call their own agent who could keep up with the progress of the sale or whatever... it isn't like Macy's was putting out dresses for sale and when you tried to purchase one they snatched em up and you were told they were already sold. Very different concepts....For a really worthwhile discussion of something that COULD be construed as deceptive advertising, see Richard Weiser's fetured post today.

WHEW! 

I was so excited about the sign subject and the opportunity to comment, I completely missed seeing whatever exists on this site that allows you to insert a little postage stamp-sized (avatar) type photo... and THIS is what happened! YIKES!

SORRY! My retriever, by the way, is "Barnegat," named after NJ's Barnegat Bay. She's 13 years-old and sleeps under my desk. Even she, though, is embarrassed by the overwhelming size of the above photo.

If anyone can fix it, please do, and thank you! Hal

Here we normally leave the for sale sign up until the closing. Sometimes, a week before closing the listing agent might put up a contract pending, but that is not the norm. We like to compile a list of back up people who are interested in the home in case the current deal falls through. The signs go down so quickly when it closes that there is little time to put up a sold rider. If we did it would disappear to the sign post company.

Great synopsis of what agents and sellers should be aware of when putting up For Sale signs and yard arms on properties!  I wish more agents would read and follow your post. 

There's a short sale in my neighborhood that has a crooked yard arm, and an aweful for sale sign.  It's one of those light weight, cheaper ones, with metal grommets at the top.  Immediately, the grommets rusted and rust streaks formed down the sign when it rained (which is often here in the PNW).  Then, the winds picked up, and since the grommet holes didn't quite line up with the hooks on the yard arm, one side kept coming off the hook.  I fixed it several times, and made calls to the listing agent, but the LA never came out to take care of it.  Well, it's been several months now, and the rusty sign has officially blown away, and there's just a large, leaning, empty yard arm sitting in the front yard of this short sale home.  Not an inviting look at all.  LA is still MIA.

Hal, dude...click the edit button in your comment and delete the HUGE pic then reupload a SMALLER one! You can make your pic smaller in a photo editor by telling it to make it something like 240x180 or whatever works for you. Nobody else can fix it for you.  There is no way to add a pic like the rest of ours until you have a certain number of points or something like that on AR. Cute pup though and thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts to the discussion!

Marie, wow...I've fixed many a sign for a fellow agent in my time but when they won't respond to you when it becomes an eyesore...probably better if the whole thing blew down and you could "help out" by setting it in the back yard!

Irene, I've got no issue with folks doing what you describe..just a note though, I am not equating status riders on signs and status in MLS. MLS is clear about when the status should be changed and when it comes out of IDX and that is pretty quickly!

Hal,  I love the big picture of the pooch. I'm glad you did it wrong. Back to the signs. We have a top agent in our office who regularly puts a sold sign up long before it has closed. Burned him bad many a time. Guess he can't help himself. Thanks for the reminder to tend the sign!

Different states are different I guess.  In our area, no one uses under contract signs, we put up the sold sign once a listing is under contract.  All signs go down within 24 hours of closing here.  If it remains up longer than 48 hours after closing, the signs can be impounded!

SarahGray  I wish I had a camera eeverytime I saw a SOLD sign and then weeks later the sold sign was removed  and it was back on the market.  My favorite 4 letter word is PAID

Thank you for this great post. I learned some great tips.

 

I don't even own "sold" riders.  I put "Sale Pending" ones up after we clear major contingencies -- about a week after the initial ink dries. My signs come down at the walk through (usually the morning of closing).  Most convenient time to get it.  And if I'm on the buyer's side, I'll take the selling agent's sign with me to closing to save them a trip.

I came back because I wanted to see the new comments. I went and kicked at the pile of riders in my garage....I worry so much about getting through a closing on a listing these days I'm afraid to jinx it with a rider....how's that for an intellectual basis for decision making? Afraid of a jinx!

Thanks, SarahGray for good post on a subject we all deal with.

Vermont has very strict sign laws (No Highway Billboard signs allowed in the State since 1968) which also regulates real estate signs which must be 12.5 feet from edge of the road. Additionally, no Pending or Sold riders may be placed on a real estate sign. The fine for not complying with the State sign law is $100.00 per day.

I enjoyed the post today about singage/// Good read.

Patricia

 I spent Friday visiting listings and fixing and adding sign riders. Two were stolen! Geez!

I don't normally do sign riders unless the sellers want them, which they usually do.  Once the inspection contingency is cleared, I do change the flyers to say the house is under contract but we would be glad to take backup offers. But that only works for us 'dinosaurs' who still put out flyers!

I love when my competition has an overpriced listing with a totally neglected weather worn sign. To me a stale listing with a yard sign is a liability not an asset.

My pet peeve in the Triangle (Raleigh, Cary Chapel Hill, Durham,) a COMING SOON sign....you know you are only allowed to have that one up for a few days, but some agents in this area think a few days translates into a month.....

 Also, lets not forget that if you also have a brochure box there, please, please make sure you have brochures in the box......

My signs are a reflection of who I am. I use only the best posts and my signs are custom designed and kept in 'spiffy' condition at all times. I don't use an 'under contract' ridere, but I do use a "SOLD! I can yours too!" rider. I vist all my listings regularly and make sure my signs are in tip top condition.

The paragraph below I feel is the most important and totally agree. Your sign represents you.

There are a few other secrets behind real estate signage. Well, maybe not so secret...the things your neighbors and potential buyers think when they see a badly tended sign in your yard. Nothing screams "Nobody cares about this property so feel free to bring a low ball offer" like a dirty, crooked sign in an overgrown yard. Yes, it is your agent's sign and nobody said you have to love it as if it were your own, but while you are lovingly tending your lawn, keep in mind the message your sign is sending when it is covered with dried grass clippings, spattered with mud or damaged by maurauding neighborhood pranksters. Help a sign out...and let your agent know if it needs some extra help. After all, it is working in your best interest.

Sharon, yes...I have started to see a few of the Coming Soon variety signs. I don't think much of them since, as you point out, they are there for WAAYYY too long. A house on the market isn't a concert or a new generation iPhone. Kind of ranks up there with New On Market But...no showings for another 2 weeks.

Good afternoon,

I agree you never want to attach any rider that would hurt the seller. Once an executed contract is finalized we always put up a rider stating the home is now "contract pending/taking back-ups". We are required to also enter the house PB (Pending/Taking Back-up) in our MLS System. There is nothing more annoying to an agent to show a home and not know it is under contract. With the number of homes on the market the correct status is important to know.

If the seller has taken an offer with a contingency (maybe the sale of another property) we put no rider on the sign but it is shown as a AC (Active/contigent) in the MLS. Again the agents will know there is an offer and can call to see about the contingency and what it would take to remove it. When the house is past the option period, appraisal done and final approval we do put up a SOLD rider. The seller no longer wants anyone looking at the house (they are busy packing) and there isn't a reason to continue to market. The neighbors can see houses are moving and if they call to see "for what" it's simple to say I cannot tell you until it closes and funds (gives you a reason to follow up with calls)!

Many neighbors complain when they see a sign go up they never see any change in status. They assume the agent didn't get it under contract, it never sold or was it leased. Some agents just don't want to spend the money on riders letting the community know the status did change. Our riders are noticed and residents take note our listings sell! It's all in perceptions...besides keeping your signs neat, straight and professional we use them to our advantage to let the community know we make a difference and actually "sell" our listings!

Great stuff even old timers don't get and some are too lazy

Good info. It is bad to see signs that have been there for a while and they are all tore up. It speaks for the listing and who is taking care of it.

Great insight into the language of signs / sign language and what we tell our prospects out there. 

Oops - gotta go pick up a Sold sign! Enough is enough!

Great post!

This is brilliant, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

Nice comments.  I have seen agents put SOLD on the property when it is only under contract, what do you think of that?

Great topic, SarahGray and lots of good banter!  I agree that your signs are a reflection of you, and should be kept current and in tip-top condition.  I don't place "Under Contract" or "Sale Pending" until I have the mortgage commitment.  At that point it's a 99% done deal.  I send out postcards letting the neighbors know it has SOLD, and how to reach me if I can assist them.  Signage typically comes down the day of settlement, unless a buyer allows you to keep the sign up for a week or so, but that's not often. 

Well done, SarahGray!

Aside from the riders, which certainly are local in what is typical, there are two points to mention:

 

1. I agree completely with regards to keeping the sign looking cood & clean.  It portrays professionalism.

2. The sign itself can be great way to catch people's attention.  My broker's signs are oval shaped, this way people don't have to make sure the owners aren't having windows or siding installed or something of that nature.  We also have multiple ways to be contacted by someone for more information, from our automated Infoline to websites to phone numbers. 

I don't know about everyone else's stats, but our signs are the cause of 20-25% of our sales.  Seems pretty important to me!

I was taught never to put up a Pending or Sold hanger as people will no longer call you.

Great Points. The next time I look at a real estate sign I will think differently.

In my market we virtually never see "Under Contract" signs or riders.  Once the inspection contingency is satisfied, a "Sold" sign is usually put up by the buyer's agent, and if not, the listing agent may put one up.  All signs are usually taken down immediately after closing.

I didn't used to put a "sale pending" rider up and once a neighbor thought that I had lost a listing because I had taken the for sale sign down and I had not put a "sale pending" rider up.  It made me think that possibly other neighbors may have thought the same.  Now I try to always put a "sale pending" rider up once the financing contingency has been removed.

Aloha!!

Karla Casey, Principal Broker, Hawaii

One home on our road had a sign hanging upside down for over a year before the house sold. Was the sign part of the reason why it took so long? Could be, but it also could have been that it was over priced and had tenants who didn't want to move - and was a "one of a kind" property.

Still, every time I drove by that sign I wondered what was wrong with the agent, especially since I saw him there showing the place a few times in that year.

With regard to disclosing the price - I don't think you should do that at all if there was more than one party interested. I know it's public record, but I witnessed an agent losing a buyer client once because she let it be known that a bank chose a lower offer under a "highest and best" decison.She was angry at the bank and thought her customers would be angry with her... instead they were angry at her.

Sometimes it's best to just keep your mouth shut.

SarahGray - Congrats on the feature!  Very well written.  You're right, we rarely see actual "SOLD" signs here.

Hi Sarah,

    I hope you made this a public post - I don't think the average consumer knows much of what you convey here.  Before I was in the business, I used to thing that no pending sign, meant the agent couldn't get the house sold!

    But from the buyer side, it's frustrating for them to drive around, see lots of for sale signs and then find out the house isn't really available.  Once it's marked pending in the MLS, I do put a pending sign up right way.  We're fortunate here in the Tri Valley of Northern California, that our inventory is moving briskly.  When something goes back-on-market, it's typically got someone else waiting in the wings.

This is a good post with many great points.  It always amazes me how people hang on to agents who allow their signs to dangle or lean and get totally dirty. Obviously they don't care about the listing and will probably feel the same way about showing it.

SIGNS, For Sale, is the number one sign. Our sellers look to us as professional agents to respect there interests and privacy. A For Sale sign advertises the availability of the property, not the owners. I make it a pro active role to walk the neighborhood on each of my listings. Provides valuable information for me as a agent to best serve my clients. Also to reacquaint myself to the area and meet the neighbors. To answer their questions about the listing. Gather information of other agents in the area in their placement and use of their signs.  Thank you Sarah.

Nothing worse than an unkept sign in an unkept yard!

Sold signs seem to be all but forgotten. Nobody wants to take the time anymore to let people know the house has sold. Many agents are missing the opportunity to let people know they've done their job and are available for more.

It is imperative that Realtors drive by their listings every so often to make sure the sign is in solidly in the ground, the face of the sign is clean and the name rider is attached by both corners and if there is a brochure box, please make sure there are brochures in it. 

When I drive down the street and I see a real estate sign (mine or otherwise) I always give it a quick once over. If the Realtors sign of name rider is hanging askew, I have been know to stop and fix it or send a message to that Realtor. It is not only an image issue for the listing agent but for all of us in the industry.

I like to use the phrase "we are all in this together". It is imperative that we as an industry make sure we look our best. And if that means I take a minute or two out of my day to fix a sign for another Realtor, so be it. I always make sure to send them an email letting them know I fixed their sign in hopes that they would return the favor if one of my signs needed some attention.

Arlen, now you are someone I am proud to call my colleague!

Guess you have justified my going by my listings and keeping the signs clean!

Great post. I really appreciate the idea of looking out for one another.  Appearance matters!

SarahGray,

You made a good point reminding us that property signs are a great tool of the industry & care has to be taken to keep them looking their best. It's a reflection on the professionalism of the listing agent!

Here in Seattle most agents don't use pending signs very much. I'm sure we all have our different reasons. Here are our stated MLS rules for putting up the "Sold By" signs after mutual agreement, when the listing has gone to pending status or pending with back-ups accepted status:

Listing Member’s “Sold” Signs.
9/01/05 The listing office shall not put up its own “Sold” sign if it is not the selling office, unless the selling office fails to post its “Sold” strip within 72 hours after the status of the property changes to “Pending” or “Pending BU” in accordance with these Rules. In no event shall the selling office be deprived of its right to post its “Sold” strip and remove the listing office’s “Sold” strip.

Karen, this is VERY different than our practice. By SOLD strip do you mean an entire sign identifying the selling company with a SOLD banner REPLACES the listing company FOR SALE sign? I'm having a hard time getting my head around what this rule seems to suggest from my reference point. Does the listing company not have a right to advertise that they got the job done? What am I missing here? I would LOVE to understand!

Great post!