Looking for advice for finding off market properties with mailers in the Orlando area

[Adrian Lammersdorf-Scioll]

I've been doing mailers to find off market properties for about a year, and I'm curious what works out in the Orlando area for other people.  The mailers I send consist of distressed properties that I drive by using the driving for dollars method, pre-foreclosures, divorces, and absentee owners.  I know it takes a lot of letters to get a response, and I also know that it's better to cold call which I do sometimes, and door knock.  

I've tried using greeting cards of various colors, using off season stamps, hand writing the letters, using colored paper, and even putting photos of projects I've done.  I've only had one seller ever call me (used pictures, put a dollar bill in the letter, and used emotion in the letter) out of the maybe 500 or so total that I've sent.

I'd greatly appreciate any insight that anyone may have on what has worked for them.  I don't always like to cold call, and am not very fond of door knocking.  Thank you in advance.

Also as far as what I put in the letter, I usually say that me and my partner are looking for properties that need work, and can pay cash and offer quick closing.