We are born. We grow up at home. We move out to our first home ... an apartment. Rent isn't cheap, but it's affordable until we reach our ultimate goal -- owning our own home. Most new houses are purchased as "first" or "starter" homes by people who live in apartments. So if you're trying to sell a house, why are you advertising solely in newspapers? Try this -- rent a list of apartment addresses nearby the house for sale. Print a post card or flyer fully describing the house, along with info about the neighborhood and anything else you think might sell the house. Since many apartment dwellers are actively seeking their own houses, and most moves are to a house in an already familiar neighborhood, you're sending your advertising piece to your best prospects.
Cost for this, including printing, list, postage and mailshop costs can be under $250 per thousand mailers, or much less than the cost of a single ad in a major daily paper. Worth testing, and a good way to drum up additional prospects for other houses you're also selling.
Note: People move in and out of apartments. A current resident or occupant list (no names, but full addresses) will work well for this type of mailing. Enhance your "neighborliness" by exchanging the word "Occupant" with "[Apt. Name] Neighbor". The recipients will read the mailer wondering which one of their "neighbors" sent it.