Direct Mail

[Troy Cole]

Hey BP! 

I'm a new investor trying to figure out how to put together a direct mailing list. I have ads in different places and I get leads here and there but I'm looking to step up my marketing with DM since other investors in my area are having great success with this strategy.  

How do I figure out which homes to mail to in my target areas? 

Any and every bit of advice on this subject is appreciated. 

Thanks in advance!

[Rick H.]

The best list is the one that makes money for you based on how you want work deals.

I started by working foreclosures, which meant that I needed a simple way to eliminate all records that did not meet my minimum equity requirements (50% in my case...now).

The strategy was simple: I mailed, knocked and called property owners in default prior to sale.

Most of the problems are people problems, meaning issues between parties, as opposed to the soundness of prooerty structure. 

Many problems come up with title and liens or claims by others. 

You can create lists by scouring online databases, free data, or when you're through playing around, spend money on commercially-provided lists. You can start by putting your records into Excel spreadsheets and merge fields into Word documents. 

Since you're in KY, check out Sharon Vanholt's podcast here on BP as well as search here for list building. 

Also, check online for data providers, property lists, title company, Listsource, Corelogic, Melissadata, others.