Sent out my first direct mail. Now what?

[Terrance Branch]

Hey, I have recently decided to send out some direct mail to a list of houses in the Raleigh, NC area that I have built on my own. Basically, I have been driving for dollars looking at houses that have potential. I have been building my real estate knowledge lately. I have a background in construction. My family has owned a small remodeling and construction business in the Raleigh area for over 20 years. I'm curious on what I should do next? I'm not in the place to finance these deals on my own. I would love to find these deals and offer them to someone else to buy while also getting paid in the process. 

I've been listening and researching on bigger pockets, everyone always says that if you find the deal the money will come. 

Any guidance is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks! 

[Ray Lai]

Originally posted by @Terrance Branch:

Hey, I have recently decided to send out some direct mail to a list of houses in the Raleigh, NC area that I have built on my own. Basically, I have been driving for dollars looking at houses that have potential. I have been building my real estate knowledge lately. I have a background in construction. My family has owned a small remodeling and construction business in the Raleigh area for over 20 years. I'm curious on what I should do next? I'm not in the place to finance these deals on my own. I would love to find these deals and offer them to someone else to buy while also getting paid in the process. 

I've been listening and researching on bigger pockets, everyone always says that if you find the deal the money will come. 

Any guidance is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks! 

Terrance, great job taking action. Here are things you need to prepare for to be successful with your campaign:

1) Do you have enough money saved up for a sustained campaign of at least 200 addresses and can mail them at least once every 3-4 weeks, for at least 6 mailings? If not, go hustle for some cash to be able to sustain your campaign.

2) Do you have the system built in place for your funnel: ready to answer that number without letting it go to voicemail, have a website landing page to capture the lead if you include a link in your DM.

3) Do you want to maximize your response rate? Get a area code that is familiar to the people you're mailing to if you want to increase their comfort. You can always add the phone number to your 2nd mailing.

4) Are you familiar with the questions to ask a seller to see if they are distressed or not?

5) Do you have buyers ready in that area for when you close a deal?

6) Do you have access to MLS or comps to know the ARV of the property you're buying?

7) Do you have the contracts in place for them to sign when you close the deal?

8) Do you have a title company or escrow lawyer (state dependent) to help finalize the paperwork?

Make sure your ducks are in a row for the calls you're going to get.