questions about marketing strategies

[Adam Jensen]

I'm just getting started in real estate investing, rehabbing and wholesaling, and have a few questions about successful marketing strategies.

My plan is to use direct mail (postcards, letters, etc), but I'm curious about other outlets to reach potential sellers.

I'm basically just wondering what people have found to really get their name out there, and to get a higher close rate.

Which marketing strategies are most successful?
What can I expect for rate of return on each of the marketing campaigns?

Thanks in advance for the guidance

[Bill Gulley]

As to marketing, you have a very large farm area, just about any method you can afford is probably available to you.

Wholesale deals are pretty easy to set up, you need to find properties that won't sell retail and you need buyers who can profit, by flipping it or leasing it.

You can find properties that don't seel on the MLS, look for expired listings to start with. Usually you'll find motivated sellers and for some reason their property didn't sell, sometimes because the property condition was not on par with the asking price. some look for divorce cases, death notices, foreclosures, signs saying we buy crappy houses, the source is endless, you can even drive for dollars and just hunt for properties in your target areas.

Your buyers are easy to find at the courthouse, who bought properties in the last year and match up the names that appear more than once....these entities or people are investors who are buying!

Even in your area, if you find 15 buyers and meet with them and see what they are looking for, you don't need mailings, you just need their phone number when you have something that meets their goals. Pretty simple.

It's when you get to the retail level when you need mass media forms to inform the public. It's often better just to list it, we have a TV show here featuring new listings, you can't do that as a small investor.

Learn to network with other investors in your area, it should not be long before enough people know what you do and you'll know where they are. Then it's identify the need and fill it. All you'll need is a book of phone numers and you can stay busy for a long time.

And getting with the times, you can work the internet sites, craigs list and local FSBO sites. I did everything the old school way and I guarantee you it still works and will be all you need to grow. Good luck....