Marketing Help - Suggestions

[Sherwin Vargas]

I have read many articles on Marketing and setting up. I am a new investor in the Boston, Ma area, 

I currently have a website, business cards, and some flyers. I decided to start with a website before my first deal because I wanted it to be my 'storefront' and have a place for people to check out what I do. if you guys want to check it out its here 

Link removed

( I am Stil trying to work on changes) 

I am trying to think of where to go to next, I was thinking of doing google ads to drive more traffic to my site, I think I can afford about 400-500 a month. But I have read that google ads if better for higher ranking websites and optimized sites. If I have about 400 dollars to invest in marketing in the Boston mass area (Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamaica plain, quincy) what do you local investors think work best, what companies work best for direction mail if you suggest this.

Is 400 dollars enough for a direct mail campaign, is 300 dollars just to be sure I could commit for 6 months to a year ? I just need some ideas on what would work best in the Boston area, since I know a lot  this depends on the area. 

Thanks in advance, 

Sherwin Vargas

[Mark Gagner]

I agree with Ned that direct mail requires substantial (1000 + letters/mo), consistent (min 3-4 touches) investment, and therefore, it is a tough strategy for a new investor to execute on a limited budget.  Same is true for an Adwords campaign.  A few other ideas:

1. Bandit signs typically work really well for getting your phone to ring.  This strategy can be relatively economical if you hang them yourself.

2. Go to as many REIA meetings as possible and make sure you let everybody know what you are looking for.

3.  Use Craigslist, Facebook and LinkedIn to find people and companies that wholesale properties or advertise distressed properties in your local market.

4. Go to your city code enforcement dept and get list of all code violation homes in your city.  Send a letter to these owners letting them know you are a cash investor looking to buy a home ASAP in their neighborhood.  

5. Google "REO agents" or "Short sale specialists" for your area and reach out to this agents; let them know what you are looking for.

6.  Create a door hanger (it is very inexpensive to create and get printed) and hang on doors of distressed looking properties in your general market area.  You can also hang them on pre-foreclosure properties (get a list from title company or www.listsource.com)

7. Learn how your local county does tax lien auctions and determine if it makes sense to participate.  

8.  You can obtain probate records from the local courthouse and call (or mail a letter to) the executor of the estate.  Let them know you can help buy unwanted real estate.  

These are just a few "economical" strategies that can be effective in any market.  The key is to be consistent with any strategy you decide to do and be persistent.  Good follow-up is critical too.  Good luck!

Mark Gagner