What To Expect From Direct Mail?

[Christopher R.]

Hi! It seems like it is very hard to find properties that will cash flow for buy and hold investing in my area. So I'm looking into using direct mail to get deals. I will probably start with absentee owners and maybe do probate.

Because of my current situation, I do not feel inclined to rehab a property. I would much rather get a property that is move in ready.

My questions is, will I get such move in ready properties from an absentee direct mail campaign or are good deals only to be had by rehabbing the properties myself?

I mean, why would an owner of a move in ready property sell his house directly to me at a significant discount instead of selling it on the MLS?