How do I find home owners in my zip code who may look to sell?

Question

Hi All,

We are looking to purchase a home in our neighborhood, we want to send a mailing to home owners who maybe looking to sell and would prefer not to use a realtor so they can save on commission and it would also help use who could avoid the mass buyers and multiple bids.

What would be the easiest way to source this list without taking up too much time? We  would be looking at single family home, 3 + bedrooms, 1 + bathroom with back yard, min 1500 sq/ft.

Thanks for any info.

Alison Decastro · Answer

We had some friends who did this a few years ago-not investors, just a family who was looking for a home-similar to your situation.  They drove around town and wrote down the address of all the houses they thought were in their price range-that also seemed a little less well kept.  Then they went to the town tax office to get the name of the owner. (rather then just put Dear Owner)  Then they did a big mailing-I think about 50-70 homes.  They got a great house this way(and it was a great price).  Almost like driving for dollars!

Russell Brazil · Answer

The benefit is savings.  I spend roughly $1,000 out of pocket to list a property. Some of my costs are photography, pamphlets, sign placement, utility company marking utility for sign placement, placing it on the electronic lockbox system, I usually do a little bit of landscaping..mulch and flowers, depending on the price point of the property I might also need to pay for staging and professional maid service.  So if I can save that  money, that is a plus....Im only going to sell off market if it is at a price point Im going to still get the best price and terms for my client. So you might not save money in doing so (Though you might, not all agents are created equal) but it will at least stop the stress of having to compete with 20 offers, and dealing with that uncertainty. I often show properties to agents before they hit the market who I think might have buyers lined up for it.

Russell Brazil · Answer

EDDM, Every Door Direct Mail might be your cheapest option since it is a particular neighborhood.

Though I would keep in mind Medford is higher income, and has a high desirability. Areas like that are often, though not always, typically dominated by agents, so it can be harder to find off market deals in such areas.

If there is an agent doing the majority of business in that neighborhood, you may want to consider contacting them (Or getting your own agent and having them contact them) to inquire about upcoming listing or possible pocket listings, and buying the property before it hits the MLS.

Dolores Waldron · Answer

Thanks Russell, very insightful...appreciate your input.

Dolores Waldron · Answer

Thanks everyone, great info ... @Russell Brazil, what's in it for the agent if it doesn't hit the MLS ? I understand they may get full commission if there is only one agent involved but in this neighborhood there are multiple bids, prices way over asking, cash buyers with lots of cash - realtors don't mind putting it out to MLS as they are banking anyway.

Edward Hamill · Answer

In my area, I use a product called Coles (no affiliation to the company).  It allows me to find renters, owners, purchase pricing, purchase date, taxes, etc... great way to generate a list without a lot of leg work.  Can be pricey but if you know a realtor friend, a lot of brokers provide their agents access to the system and they may be able to help you pull together a list...

Mindy Jensen · Answer

If you are targeting only your neighborhood, take a walk. Knock on any door that looks like it has potential, and ask them if they know anyone who is interested in selling.

I just wrote an article about the unique ways a colleague finds new properties in her own neighborhood. I really love her story.

Steve Vaughan · Answer

Here it's easy to pull up a street online in our county records to obtain all owners.  Maybe do door hangers or mailers as @Alison Decastro mentions.  You can personalize much more than the we buy houses folks and may score some good leads for yourself!

How do I find home owners in my zip code who may look to sell?

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