Plan ahead! Assign estimated times needed based on your CDC's capacity in order to prepare and execute these top 12 strategies for sale and pre-sales.

1. Know your target homebuyer:

	What are their demands?
	What are their concerns?
	How much can they afford?

2. Design colorful marketing materials that answer the "how much?" questions:

	House cost?
	Cash to enter?
	Monthly payment?

3. Canvas neighborhood and community centers with colorful, eye-pleasing flyers or brochures.
Place fliers in a box in front of houses during construction for people passing by who may want information.

4. Send mailings to rental buildings in the area.

5. Build and furnish a model unit.

6. Conduct homebuyer seminars in model unit.

7. Invite local school principals, police captains and religious leaders to buyer seminars, open houses and related sales events.

8. Pursue partnerships with City, unions and other large local employers to get referrals of prospective buyers. Pursue opportunities to make presentations at their respective workplaces.

9. Invest in amenities where ever possible.
Installation of a security system at no charge to the buyer greatly adds to a homebuyer's feeling of security. It also conveys a positive message to the buyer about how the developer feels about protecting the safety of its clients.

10. Provide opportunities for buyers to pick from a range of finishes, colors, carpets and cabinets so that they can customize their own home.
Most buyers feel more "connected" to a house when they have had some say in the finished product - and they feel more pride in ownership since they helped to create it!

11. Use Realtors. Consider a special commission incentive program to encourage realtors to show your homes to their clients.
If you use a Realtor to help sell your houses, then send ineligible candidates for your program to them so that they can benefit from the sales lead. This builds a special business relationship that can benefit all parties.

12. Seek free press with articles covering groundbreakings and open houses.

Next: B2. Key Factors for Success in Serving Low-Income Homebuyers

OHIO CAPITAL CORPORATION FOR HOUSING