For sale by owner signs: what to put on them and where they are allowed

What to put on a for sale by owner sign

Less is more on a yard sign. A driver has a few seconds to read it, so the sign should carry only what matters. Most good signs have three things: the words "For Sale By Owner," a phone number and one more line.

That extra line can be a website address, a QR code, "By appointment" or a short feature such as "3 bed, 2 bath, pool." Pick one. A sign crowded with details is a sign nobody can read from the street.

Make the phone number the largest thing after the main words. Many owners use a second number from a calling app, so they can turn it off after the sale and keep their personal number private.

Leave off anything you might regret. Do not put your name or the hours you are away from the house. Do not promise terms you have not decided, such as owner financing, unless you are ready for every call that brings.

Price is a judgment call. A price on the sign screens out people who cannot afford the home, but it also locks in a number that is hard to change quickly. Many owners send people to the online listing for the price instead.

Read next: the complete FSBO guide · writing the listing behind the sign

Making the sign readable from a moving car

Readability is mostly about size and contrast. Use large block letters, dark text on a light background or the reverse, and plain fonts. Script lettering and pale colors fade into the yard.

Standard yard signs are a common size, and they fit standard frames and riders. A larger sign may help on a busy road, but check your HOA and local rules before you order one.

Test it before you commit. Put the sign where you plan to place it, then drive past at normal speed. If you cannot read the phone number, nobody else can either. Adjust the size or cut words.

Choose weather-resistant material. Corrugated plastic and metal frames handle sun and rain far better than cardboard or thin paper. In South Florida, sun fades cheap ink quickly, so a sign that looks fine in month one may be hard to read by month three.

Sign rules in Florida HOAs and condo associations

Many Florida homes sit inside an HOA or a condo association, and these associations often regulate signs. Some allow a standard for sale sign. Others limit size, placement or the number of signs. Some do not allow yard signs at all.

Rules vary by community, so there is no single Florida answer. Read your declaration, your rules and regulations, and any architectural guidelines. The sign rule may sit in any of those documents, and newer rules sometimes replace older ones.

If the documents are unclear, ask the management company or the board in writing before the sign goes up. A written answer protects you if a neighbor complains later.

Condos raise an extra point. The lawn, the lobby and the hallways are usually common elements, not your property. A unit owner often cannot place a sign there at all. Some buildings allow a small notice in a window or on a lobby board instead.

Gated communities may also restrict who can enter for showings and open houses. Check gate procedures before you advertise an open house, so buyers are not turned away at the entrance.

Read next: selling in a condo or HOA · the association documents buyers ask for

City and county rules for signs on your lawn and the street

Cities and counties also regulate signs, and their rules differ from place to place. Some limit the size or number of real estate signs on private property. Many restrict signs on public land, such as the swale, medians or the right of way.

Do not assume the strip of grass by the street is yours to use. In many places it is public right of way, even if you mow it. Signs placed there may be removed, and some local codes allow fines.

The safest step is to check your city or county code before you buy signs. Most local codes are searchable online, and the code enforcement or zoning office can answer questions by phone. Rules can change, so check the current version.

If you live in an unincorporated area, the county code usually applies. If you live inside city limits, the city code usually applies. HOA rules sit on top of either one, so you may have to follow both.

A quick check now costs far less than losing your signs on a weekend when buyers are looking, or receiving a notice in the middle of your sale.

Riders, QR codes and directional signs

A rider is a small panel that hangs above or below the main sign. Riders let you add information without crowding the sign itself. Common riders say "Open house Sunday," "Pool," "Price reduced" or "Under contract."

A QR code rider links phones straight to your online listing. That gives buyers the photos and price at once, without a phone call. Test the code with a few phones before you hang it, and make it large enough to scan from the sidewalk.

Directional signs point buyers from a main road to your street. They help most on open house days and in neighborhoods with confusing streets. They are also the signs most often limited by city rules and HOA rules, so check before you place one.

If directional signs are allowed, place them only during open house hours and collect them afterward. Use the same colors and wording as your main sign, so buyers can follow them easily.

Change riders as the sale moves. When you accept an offer, an "Under contract" rider tells neighbors and drive-by buyers the status and cuts down on calls you no longer need.

Read next: where to post the online listing

Where to place a for sale by owner sign on the lot

Place the sign where drivers look, usually near the street edge of your own property and facing the direction of most traffic. On a corner lot, angle it so both streets can see it, or use two signs if the rules allow.

Keep it clear of trees, shrubs, parked cars and mailboxes. A sign half hidden by a hedge does very little. Trim around it if needed, and check it again after the lawn service visits.

Do not block sight lines for drivers at a driveway or a corner. That creates a safety problem and may break local rules even if the sign is on your property.

If yard signs are not allowed, look at your options. A window sign, a lobby notice, if the building permits it, or simply a stronger online presence can fill the gap.

Buying or making a for sale by owner sign

Ready-made FSBO signs are sold at hardware stores and online. They are fine for most owners. You write or stick on your phone number, put the sign in a frame and you are done.

A custom printed sign looks more finished and is easier to read. Online sign printers and local print shops make them in standard sizes, often with a matching rider. Compare current prices and turnaround times, since delivery may take several days.

A metal frame holds the sign up through wind and rain better than thin wire stakes. If you use stakes, push them in firmly and check them after storms.

Avoid handwritten signs if you can. They are hard to read and look temporary. If you must write one, use thick marker and large block letters, and keep it to the main words and the phone number.

Some FSBO packages from listing sites include a sign. Others sell one as an add-on. Check what is included before you buy both.

Open house signs for a for sale by owner sale

An open house gives your sign a second job. On open house day, an "Open house" rider on the main sign, plus directional signs where allowed, can bring in neighbors and buyers driving the area.

Advertise the open house online a few days ahead. Add the date and hours to your listing and post it on social media. Many buyers plan their weekend tours in advance, so a sign alone reaches only part of the audience.

Open houses do not sell every home, and many sales happen through private showings instead. Still, an open house can surface buyers early and give you useful feedback on the price and presentation.

Schedule it when buyers are free, often a weekend afternoon. Two or three hours is usually enough. Avoid holidays and big local events unless you know buyers will be in the area.

Take down every directional sign when the open house ends. Signs left out overnight are a common reason for complaints and code issues.

Read next: whether open houses sell homes

A FSBO open house checklist

The day before, clean the house as you would for photos. Clear counters, put away personal items, and remove valuables, medication, keys and important papers. Lock away anything small and easy to pocket.

Prepare a sign-in sheet or a digital sign-in, and print flyers with the main photo, price, key facts and recent upgrades. Have copies of any disclosures you plan to share, and know your HOA fees and what they cover.

On the day, open the blinds, turn on the lights, set the air conditioning to a comfortable level and step back from conversations. Buyers speak more freely when the owner is not hovering.

Ask a friend or family member to help. One person greets visitors and the other walks the house. That way nobody wanders alone, and you can answer questions while someone keeps an eye on the rooms.

Afterward, follow up with every visitor who left contact details. Ask what they liked and what they did not. Patterns in that feedback tell you whether price, condition or layout is holding buyers back.

Read next: staging the rooms buyers see first

Safety at showings and open houses

A sign invites strangers to call, so plan for safety from the start. Ask every caller for a full name and a phone number before you book a showing, and confirm the appointment by calling back.

Treat every caller the same way. Use the same screening questions for everyone, which is both safer and consistent with fair housing rules.

Avoid showing the home alone. Have another adult with you, keep your phone charged and tell someone where you are and when the showing ends. If a visit feels wrong, end it politely.

Lead from behind. Let visitors walk ahead of you into rooms, and stay near an exit. Keep doors to garages and private areas closed if you do not want them opened.

Be cautious with online inquiries too. Scam messages are common on listing sites and social posts. Never send money or personal financial details to someone you have not met, and be wary of anyone who wants to buy sight unseen with an unusual payment method.

Read next: running showings well

Storms, theft and taking the sign down

In South Florida, hurricane season changes the sign plan. When a storm is coming, take in the sign, the frame and every rider. Loose signs become flying debris in high wind.

Signs also get stolen or knocked over. Check yours every day or two, and keep a spare rider and stakes on hand. A missing sign on a weekend costs you drive-by buyers.

When the sale closes, take everything down promptly. Some HOAs and local rules set a time limit after closing, so check that too. Pass on the phone number only if you plan to keep using it.

If your FSBO run ends and you decide to list with a broker or add MLS exposure, the sign can change with it. A clean switch, rather than mixed signs on the lawn, keeps buyers from getting confused.

A sign is one piece of the plan. If you want a second opinion on the price or help with a single step, you can ask for just that.

Read next: a free home valuation · pick only the help you need