Real estate signs reveal more about you and your company than the properties they advertise.
Whether you work in residential or commercial real estate, your signs serve as brand ambassadors, speaking for your company when you can’t. Although signs are less important than your real estate company’s logo, they serve an important purpose.
It’s best if you take charge of the message your signage conveys.
Don’t leave anything to chance.
Out-of-Home (or “OOH”) Advertising encompasses the majority of traditional real estate signage (“For Sale” signs, open house signs, bench ads, and billboards).
Let’s take a look at the best practices for creating unique and custom real estate signs that raise brand awareness and initiate a conversation with potential clients.
Real Estate Sign Design Elements to Consider.
The first decision you should make when planning your signage strategy is what type of sign you will use.
You have choices! The traditional “colonial post” style is the most iconic real estate sign, but it’s only the beginning.
Here are some examples of real estate sign styles to consider…
Styles of Common Real Estate Signs
Colonial Post
A sturdy, wooden inverted L frame with a sign suspended from it. These are ideal for marking residential homes for sale.
H-Frame Stake
This is a lightweight H-shaped wireframe that is ideal for temporary signage. Consider the “Open House” signs. The frame legs (stakes) poke into the ground, making it simple to set up and take down.
Frame-Style Signs
Are made of sturdy metal frames that enclose a sign. They are available in Standard (with only one sign) and Single or Double Rider (with one or two additional smaller signs or “riders”). These are another excellent choice for lawn “For Sale” signs.
A-Frame
These lightweight “sandwich board” signs are ideal for drawing attention to an open house or other events. But be cautious: if you leave these easily mobile signs unattended, they may disappear.
Vinyl Window Clings
Are a non-adhesive film that adheres to the window glass. These are an excellent choice for commercial buildings with large plate-glass windows.
A Feather Flag
Composed of a tall, flexible frame attached to a narrow fabric flag. The fabric is loose on one side, allowing it to flutter in the breeze and serve as eye-catching signage. You can directly print your content on the fabric flag.
Each of these signage options has its own set of dimensions and printing mediums. The amount of space available (and the shape of that space) will have a direct impact on the design layout of your sign.
This is why you must first decide on the type of sign before designing the content or graphics.
And now, one last logistical consideration before we get into design specifics… Make sure to familiarize yourself with your local signage laws.
Many towns and cities (as well as some residential developments) have ordinances or rules governing the types of signs that can be used (and how many) and where they can be placed. Knowing what types of signage are permitted in your area will help you choose your next signs.
Signage Design Basic Essentials
The same design principles apply whether you’re creating a classic lawn “For Sale” sign, branding signage to raise awareness for your business, or an “Open House” event sign.
So, let’s get this started!
#1 Design Consideration: Branding
As previously stated, real estate signs are a type of out-of-home advertising. As a result, they are ideal for raising brand awareness.
Use your company’s logo on real estate signs.
If you don’t include your real estate company’s logo on your sign, it’s almost worthless in terms of brand awareness.
Begin by ensuring that your most valuable visual branding tool – your logo – is prominently displayed on your sign.
Use Your Company’s Colours on Real Estate Signs.
To help create a consistent visual presence, use your brand colours on your signage as well. This will assist potential clients in becoming acquainted with (and quickly recognizing) your company.
Creating a consistent visual presence across all of your signage will aid in the development of familiarity and trust between your company and its target audience. This is how random passers-by become customers.
Most people who walk or drive past your signs are unlikely to be looking to buy a home or lease commercial space at that time. However, if you’ve used your signage to establish a consistent visual presence over time, you’ve already planted a seed.
So, when those same people decide to buy a house or rent a commercial space, they’ll remember your company.
#2 Design Consideration: Readability
Signs are meant to communicate.
It’s their reason for existing.
As a result, every design decision should support the sign’s ability to communicate clearly.
Of course, there are other considerations… Aesthetics and brand awareness are also important.
However, aesthetics and brand awareness should never take precedence over readability. After all, if the sign is difficult to read, it will not help you communicate.
Visitors will not be drawn to your real estate open house sign if they cannot understand what it says.
The most important design consideration for OOH signage is readability.
Pick Fonts that are Easy to Read.
One of the most important aspects of creating an effective and easy-to-read sign is font selection.
Furthermore, the rules for signage differ from those for many other types of graphic design. While a fantastic script font (like the Ebby Halliday logo on the sign to the right) or funky serif typography can work in a logo, it won’t work for regular sign copy.
Signage must be legible from a distance and while driving to be effective. Otherwise, your message will not reach a large proportion of your intended audience.
This includes your company name and any other information on the sign; make sure everything is clear and legible.
Aim for simple serif and sans-serif fonts for non-logo text.
Accept White Space.
The area of a design that is devoid of lines, colours, shapes, or text is known as white space. Simply put, it is an empty space.
However, in terms of both aesthetics and readability, white space (which isn’t always actually white) is critical to an overall design.
Aesthetically, leaving enough white space in a design creates a sense of ease and breathability. Tightly packing text or other graphic elements into a design increases visual tension.
Ideally, your audience should associate your company with ease rather than tension.
Don’t cram too much information onto your signs. Be succinct; tell your audience who you are and what you desire. That’s all.
If you want a sign that communicates confidence and peace of mind while also being easy to read, prioritize white space.
As a result, it’s critical to brand your company and use a strong, distinct logo. By following the lead of companies with well-known logos, you can concentrate on what makes your company unique rather than making it all the same.
Pay attention if you’re designing a logo for a realtor or real estate company, or if you own a real estate agency, a mortgage company, or another real estate-related business. This is critical.
Make Wise Color Choices.
The colours you choose for your signage can either make or break the design.
Poor colour choices can render a sign completely illegible. Smart colour choices, on the other hand, can make a sign easy to read and stand out from the crowd.
It’s all about contrasting colours with your brand colour (or colours) to make your sign stand out.
If you’re not sure what colour combinations to use for your sign, start with your most visible brand colour
One of your most valuable advertising tools is your signs. They will appear on properties throughout your territory. They must make an excellent first impression.
Samsonvale Real Estate Signage Designer & Printing Services
Darrtam Print Solutions’ design and printing services can assist you in creating professional and alluring signage for your property. Get a quick boost to your property sale. You can contact them via email at info@darrtam.com.au or by phone at 0407638391.
As your large format printing specialist, Darrtam Print Solutions can take care of your business signage and vehicle signage, A Frames, stickers, vinyl cut lettering and more.
Based on Brisbane’s Northside, we can design, print and install your signage with your choice of colours, sizing and finish options.
We even offer affordable graphic design and printing solutions for business start-ups, SME’s and large scale operations across all industries.
Want to know more? Contact us on 0407 638 391 or message us online.
