My marketing results: please critique

[Kay H.]

ok so I sent out about 700 yellow letters to absentee owners. The copy said my partner and I would like to buy your house cash. I must have taken like 25-30 calls ( i should have counted better) the letters were bought from a yellow letter company. Here are my thoughts

Deals: zero

The calls: it seemed like everyone wanted retail. Seemed like no one was motivated and it seemed as though everyone who called back was an investor, who commented that "we are not distressed" and it seemed they were suspicious when they were talking to me.

Also, I think my voice may sound a bit young for this endeavor. I'm in my early thirties, but people have commented....you sound pretty young..an I'm thinking ooooh no.

So here's what I'm thinking:

I signed up with a phone service to make sure all my calls are answered live and by a woman or male that says...you've reached the office of.... And that person will ask a list of qualifying questions.

I'm thinking I want a letter that's not so general so that the calls I do get are more qualified.

I'm also thinking maybe don't mail just any absentee owner...maybe strictly out of state absentee or absentee with tax liens.

What do you guys think? Any pointers?

[AG Gupt]

Kay - we (RealAcquisitions) send out about 3000 letters a month & close about 4-5 deals in each of the markets we operate in.

Here are some thoughts:
- Diversify your distress criteria. Some of our distress criteria -Tax Suits, Loan Modifications, Divorce, Canceled Auctions, high Days on Market etc. (we use about 30 various combinations obtained from RealAcquisitions)

- Our messages are highly non-threatening & have a very simple message - basically 'I' want to buy your house, cash & can close fast

- Don't come across as a hot-shot business (no matter how big you get); "I am a regular person & not a corporation" - people like dealing with people & not companies

- Have a local number & a local return address (not a PO Box)

- Most importantly, buying with a low-ball cash offer & assigning contract to a high bidder (classic wholesaling) should be ONLY one of your strategies. There are MANY-MANY more ways to 'wholesale' a deal (ex. assigning a sub to purchase contract to an owner-occupant). Learn these strategies & your close rate will go through the roof.

Cheers!