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Updated over 6 years ago, 07/02/2018

User Stats

158
Posts
10
Votes
Sam Green
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Delaware
10
Votes |
158
Posts

We Buy Houses, Signs

Sam Green
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Delaware
Posted

I'd like to know how effective the "We Buy Houses" signs are for people. Do you get many calls from these? I see them all over, but never considered using them as part of any strategy. Also, where do I buy them.

Thanks.

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16,121
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5,815
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Joshua Dorkin
Pro Member
#2 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • BiggerPockets Founder
  • Maui, HI
5,815
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16,121
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Joshua Dorkin
Pro Member
#2 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • BiggerPockets Founder
  • Maui, HI
Replied

Sam - they're called Bandit Signs. You can find a few companies offering them at: http://www.biggerpockets.com/directory/real-estate-marketing.html

Hope that helps!

BTW - I don't personally use them, so I can't attest to their effectiveness.

User Stats

34
Posts
13
Votes
James Vasquez
  • San Antonio, TX
13
Votes |
34
Posts
James Vasquez
  • San Antonio, TX
Replied

Sam, you can buy the white or yellow corrugated plastic signs that investors write "We Buy Houses" or "We Buy Ugly Houses" on. I have used the 18x24" signs in the past and they do get the phone ringing. I would definitely use the word "Ugly" in the text, because if not, then you'll get calls from unmotivated sellers that don't really need to sell their house fast. Hope this helps.

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3,437
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3,638
Votes
Michael Quarles#1 Marketing Your Property Contributor
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bakersfield, CA
3,638
Votes |
3,437
Posts
Michael Quarles#1 Marketing Your Property Contributor
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Bakersfield, CA
Replied

@Sam Green

You may want to chat with @Dev Horn.

And I would consider not using "We Buy Houses" or "We Buy Ugly Houses" as they are both Trademark protected.

WE BUY HOUSES -

Webuyhouses.com, Corp

IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: [ REAL ESTATE PAMPHLETS, ] REAL ESTATE INFORMATIONAL FLYERS, REAL ESTATE INFORMATIONAL SHEETS,[ REAL ESTATE LEAFLETS, REAL ESTATE BOOKLETS, ] REAL ESTATE INFORMATIONAL LETTERS, REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTERS, PRINTED FORMS, PRINTED GUIDES FOR REAL ESTATE, PRINTED INSTRUCTION, EDUCATIONAL, AND TEACHING MATERIALS FOR REAL ESTATE, PRINTED PAPER SIGNS, PRINTED REPORTS FEATURING REAL ESTATE. FIRST USE: 20051021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20051021

WE BUY UGLY HOUSES

HomeVestors of America, Inc.

IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S: Real estate services, namely real estate acquisition, real estate brokerage services and real estate financing services. FIRST USE: 20000301. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20000301

User Stats

173
Posts
18
Votes
Deborah Saddler
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Cleveland, OH
18
Votes |
173
Posts
Deborah Saddler
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Cleveland, OH
Replied
There are lots of people who find this method effective, especially starting out and on a budget. They do get your phone ringing. You just have to separate the unmotivated from the motivated.

User Stats

4
Posts
4
Votes
Rob Arnold
  • Wholesaler
  • Altamonte Springs, FL
4
Votes |
4
Posts
Rob Arnold
  • Wholesaler
  • Altamonte Springs, FL
Replied

There is an active petition to cancel the trademark of "we buy houses" .  Visit www.WBHpetition.com to sign.  They are bullying investors over a common phrase that has been used for decades.  Sign the petition and tell everyone you know.  

User Stats

251
Posts
165
Votes
Jeffrey Hotz
  • Real Estate Professional
  • Dublin, OH
165
Votes |
251
Posts
Jeffrey Hotz
  • Real Estate Professional
  • Dublin, OH
Replied

Dont know if this is still a valid thread but Id appreciate if you would use those signs, certainly don't use the word Ugly as we have that trademarked!

When you post a bandit sign sellers go online and HomeVestors (the largest homebuyer in the country) usually comes up #1.  Then they click on our banner ad and they end up in our system.

You see Im a franchise with HomeVestors so obviously gain from the money you have spent on that sign, funny enough.

So please bandit away!

User Stats

6
Posts
4
Votes
Jonathan Halliwell
  • St. Louis, MO
4
Votes |
6
Posts
Jonathan Halliwell
  • St. Louis, MO
Replied

I am quite sure the word "ugly" is not trademarked.

"We buy ugly houses" is trademarked, but you can probably use the word ugly and be just fine.

User Stats

192
Posts
126
Votes
Brent Hill
  • Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
126
Votes |
192
Posts
Brent Hill
  • Investor
  • Charlotte, NC
Replied

You can try other phrases that are just as effective like "Sara buys Houses" or "Pat buys Houses"...just put them out every week consistently.

User Stats

15
Posts
11
Votes
Lidia Popa
  • Portland, OR
11
Votes |
15
Posts
Lidia Popa
  • Portland, OR
Replied

I use the yellow ones they do work I got some great leads from them. The thing with them is that you need to be consistent with putting them out. You also want to know your city codes where you put them some cities don't allow them and you can get a fine. I would recommend you get a google voice number that way your personal cell is not on it. 

User Stats

251
Posts
165
Votes
Jeffrey Hotz
  • Real Estate Professional
  • Dublin, OH
165
Votes |
251
Posts
Jeffrey Hotz
  • Real Estate Professional
  • Dublin, OH
Replied

Brent Hill

Guess I have to clarify...of course Ugly isn't specifically trademarked more than hundreds of other phrases. HomeVestors does have a significant legal team that aggressively acts on marketing material with the work Ugly in it, and I'd discuss with your own attorney what's appropriate before implementing.

I'd have a hard time figuring out how you would implement the word Ugly in a bandit ad without It being a direct infringement.

In any event, like I said before bandit away!

User Stats

2
Posts
3
Votes
Brandon JacksonMoore
  • Norwalk, CA
3
Votes |
2
Posts
Brandon JacksonMoore
  • Norwalk, CA
Replied

It's probably a good side note to check the legality of posting bandit signs in your area...I hear mixed reviews as if they're legal or not.

User Stats

23
Posts
0
Votes
Garcia Santos
  • Real Estate Broker
  • 1505 Elizabeth Blvd Fort Worth, TX
0
Votes |
23
Posts
Garcia Santos
  • Real Estate Broker
  • 1505 Elizabeth Blvd Fort Worth, TX
Replied

Putting signs is not as effective as having a website, forthomebuyers is a company that focuses their market and they help people sell their house fast. and part of the leads that they get are online mostly.

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