House specific direct mail

[Ben Johnstone]

Hi everyone! This is my first post and I am new to bigger pockets. It goes without saying the advice and content on here is incredibly helpful. I have many questions, but will start with just one.

First all I live in West Hollywood, Los angeles. so starting out is not going to be cheap unless I go quite far out. Anyway, there are a couple of vacant dilapidated house within a few blocks of me. Although even in the state they are in they will still be quote pricey(asking price $500,000-800,000), although the values of all the houses around them are 1m-2m. So its all relative.

My question is, if I want to contact the owners (who I have details for), what the hell do I say!? Most direct mail posts I've read are related to mass campaigns were the copy is written to get the biggest amount of hits and connect with the average person. I am writting initially to three specific owners. So....

1)what do i say in general. What info is important.

2)how specific do I want to be? what specific info about their house can i use(one of them for example is delinquent on their taxes).

3) Im not sending gout 1000, only 3 so i don't mind spending a few bucks on whatever i send them. What physical format is the most appropriate to send and likely to get it looked at?

I know its a long shot as its only 3 houses, but Im still learning so might as well. Any and all advice is appreciated! Cheers

[Joshua McGinnis]

Hi @Ben Johnstone

I lived in West Hollywood most of last year, near the corner of 3rd and Robertson.

When I first read your post, I was going to recommend that you go door knock the homes and try and talk to the owners directly. However, I believe West Hollywood, along with Beverly Hills, have a city ordinance prohibiting door knocking (or more specifically, soliciting in general). And in West Hollywood, you can't even put out open house signs on street corners. That's why you often see agents, like my wife, put signs on the top of their cars to advertise the open house.

As someone who sent over 4000 mailers to the West Hollywood and Beverly Hills areas last year, I can tell you that it is going to be tough.

I got zero responses from any of my mailers. And when my wife and I door knock, I often see stacks of other mailers/letters from other agents and investors still hanging from their door or stuffed in their mailbox.

That said, it is a tough market. I'd focus on the property that is delinquent on their taxes. Tell them you'll pay their entire tax bill and make them an offer for their property. Chances are, they know what they can sell their home for, but you never know - you might be able to pull off a deal. You won't know unless you try.

As an aside, Keller Williams training states that it typically takes between 6 and 8 contacts before a seller will decide to sell. In other words, don't give up if the first few things you try don't work.

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