Bandit signs.... Do you consider them legal or illegal?

Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes

I see alot of people that advertise bandit signs and I think that they're a great avenue to get business . However I don't think it's worth the hassle if your going to get hassled by the local sign police if you continue to use them either? I have used them but now as an investor I'm using more creative effective ways to get leads . Thoughts?

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Jean BolgerPro Member

Aurora, CO · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

11y

Fortunately (or is it unfortunately?) one does not get to decide what's legal and what isn't.

There are people who think that bandit signs are great, and people who think they are annoying litter. But what matters as far as legality is what the local ordinances say.

Plenty of folks go ahead with the signs in spite of the local ordinances. Are they justified? In their own minds, obviously they are. But the line of thinking that says "that law doesn't apply to ME" is a dodgy one, IMO. Once you start thinking that way, where else are you going to start feeling entitled to bend the rules to get your business ahead?

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Jeff Rabinowitz
Investor/Landlord · Farmington Hills, MI · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
They are called "bandit" signs because they often violate local ordinances--that means they are illegal. People use them because they are inexpensive and generate good leads but those who do (and are intelligent) also implement strategies to avoid getting ticketed or fined when they use them in areas where the fines will be enforced. I am not a fan of seeing these signs plastered all over so I will leave you the task of finding the strategies I am speaking of.
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Tim G.
Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
You want deals right? Who cares about the semantics, that doesn't get you a check.
They can work but I think that same effort placed in more legitimate marketing methods would get equal or better results.
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Jason McDougall
Rental Property Investor · Decatur, TX · Member since 2010 · 128 posts · 33 votes
11y
I can tell you from personal experience, they are absolutely illegal in most cities. Years ago my wife and I drove around putting out "We Buy Houses" bandit signs at 2am on a Saturday morning, and we were caught putting them out by a cop that HATED bandit signs. We were fined $600 each and put on probation for 6 months!
We did receive calls from those signs, but they're not worth the effort or the risk. Invest your time and marketing dollars into legal and scalable marketing such as direct mail or door hangers. All in all, I've received better deals via targeted and well planned direct mail versus the bandit signs that got me in trouble.
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Robert Leonard
Investor · Lafayette/Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 915 votes
11y
It's not a matter of opinion - its a matter of the law. Bandit signs are illegal signs that are in violation of local ordinances.
Yard signs (look just like bandit signs) are legal signs used where allowed by local ordinances.
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Chris K.Pro Member
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 655 votes
11y
I consider them whatever the city/county says they are
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Jean BolgerPro Member
Aurora, CO · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
Fortunately (or is it unfortunately?) one does not get to decide what's legal and what isn't.
There are people who think that bandit signs are great, and people who think they are annoying litter. But what matters as far as legality is what the local ordinances say.
Plenty of folks go ahead with the signs in spite of the local ordinances. Are they justified? In their own minds, obviously they are. But the line of thinking that says "that law doesn't apply to ME" is a dodgy one, IMO. Once you start thinking that way, where else are you going to start feeling entitled to bend the rules to get your business ahead?
4 Reply
Mike Watkins
Wholesaler · Powder Springs, GA · Member since 2013 · 516 posts · 143 votes
11y
your courthouse will know the laws regarding bandit signs and when and where they are legal. Read the actual law as opposed to just repeated what some one told you some where.
Some people place then anywhere when ever and give them a bad name. But they do it because they work and that makes those who don't do it jealous.
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Kortez Walker
OP
Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes
11y
@Mike Watkins that's an awesome response. I go many places and see them no one takes them down or bother them. In some of the better neighborhoods and areas they seemed to not be allowed of course so that most def makes alot more sense. The local courthouse would be the best way.
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James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
11y
I would avoid putting signs on public property and private property that you do not have permission to use.
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Derrick Dunn
Salisbury, NC · Member since 2014 · 10 posts · 0 votes
11y
how do i make a offer to a owner who owes 60,000 on their mortgage but says he will accept 25,000 and asks for buyer to take over payments? house is in good condition older man just wants to be done with the house. i spoke with the son and the older man just moved closer to the son so the motivation is there to sell. please help this is my first time.
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Bill Gulley
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
11y
Again, do you want to do business with someone who will intentionally break the rules or laws? If they are willing to break that law, what other laws will the ignore, are they the type that might lie to you, try to cheat you some or a lot, what does it say about their character?
When I'm out and I can without much effort, I'll pull them up and trash them. People have seen me do it and several have nodded and waved like they were saying thank you. Many Realtors do the same thing. Since the city put out news spots, the public here knows they are illegal.
It's not just RE, there are hair loss, cosmetic sales and other non-professionals using illegal signs, so you're also dragging the professionalism of your business and the industry down to some of the other levels of pests in business. RE is not a tupperware party.
Here, the sign police get a bounty for each one recovered. They also pose as buyers with elaborate set ups, when you show the place you get nailed. The violation is per sign so they can rack up some pretty good fines.
Now, if anyone thinks their reputation isn't important in this business, you go right ahead playing games, eventually people will know who you are. :)
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Richard C.
Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
Originally posted by @Mike Watkins:

your courthouse will know the laws regarding bandit signs and when and where they are legal. Read the actual law as opposed to just repeated what some one told you some where.
Some people place then anywhere when ever and give them a bad name. But they do it because they work and that makes those who don't do it jealous.
Jealous? People who post bandit signs are the absolute lowest rung of the real estate business. Bottom feeders. No one is jealous.
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Kortez Walker
OP
Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes
11y
@Bill Gulley Great response that's actually really good advice as well.
0 Reply
Mike Watkins
Wholesaler · Powder Springs, GA · Member since 2013 · 516 posts · 143 votes
11y
Where does it say they are illegal?
0 Reply
Wayne Brooks
Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
11y
Local sign ordinances.
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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
11y
@Kortez Walker
just spend the money and buy a billboard like the we buy ugly house guys do. Its only about 1k per month for those... leave it up for 36 months I bet it pays for itself many times over
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Bill Gulley
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
11y
Originally posted by @Mike Watkins:

Where does it say they are illegal?
They may not be in your town, but they are in city ordinances or at a county ordinance. The state will have sign laws along highways.
The only sign advertising I know of that is not under sign ordinances are those of politicians and even they must remove them after an election.
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs, blocking out the scenery and blocking my mind, do this, call me, buy this or that, everywhere are signs.....(my rendition of the song, Signs)
What might common sense say? That anyone can plaster up sign along a roadway where ever they like? If that were the case, don't you think signs would line the streets of busy traffic areas. Lets aim spotlights at them, maybe we can blind some drivers at night while we are at it. Really? LOL
No, signs are regulated for public safety and to ensure an area is not blighted and to control trash (when your sign blows over and blows across the road). That's why people pick them up, to eliminate the trash and trashy appearance of our community.....they are an eye sore.
Now, if you live in Hicksville, population 422, city hall may not always be open and they may not have gotten to establishing sign ordinances, there are some towns without police, does that mean you can just throw your trash out on the street? Why do you fix up a house and make it look nice to sell it? It's called "pride of ownership" the buyer want to feel proud of their home and contribute to that pride in their community. No community pride, then homeowners are less proud to live there. :)
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Kortez Walker
OP
Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes
11y
@Jay Hinrichs
that's an awesome Idea. That most definitely will pay for itself over and over again. There's many other ways as well.
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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
11y
@Kortez Walker
advertising is all about consistency listen to Quarles he knows the value in consistent message marketing... not sure what a bill board would be on one of the freeways around indy.. I have rented them in PDX and they were 900 to 1200 but if you do a long term you can get them better priced..
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Kortez Walker
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Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes
11y
@Jay Hinrichs I'll most definitely take that into consideration. A partner of mine and I were actually just talking about this. There's only about one real estate investing group that uses a billboard. So I take it that it's very effective. I can see the return as well. I mean 1 deal a month will take care of it so I appreciate the advice. and Believe me I'm learning that this business is all about consistency lol.
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Andrew SyriosPro Member
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Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
11y
Illegal is technically the right term, but it makes it sound like this enormous offense. What you're really doing is breaking a city ordinance. Could you get in trouble? Sure. But probably you will first get told to stop and then maybe fined. And it will almost certainly not be the police, it will be code enforcement (at least from what I've heard).
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John Thedford
Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
11y
Originally posted by @Jason McDougall:

I can tell you from personal experience, they are absolutely illegal in most cities. Years ago my wife and I drove around putting out "We Buy Houses" bandit signs at 2am on a Saturday morning, and we were caught putting them out by a cop that HATED bandit signs. We were fined $600 each and put on probation for 6 months!
We did receive calls from those signs, but they're not worth the effort or the risk. Invest your time and marketing dollars into legal and scalable marketing such as direct mail or door hangers. All in all, I've received better deals via targeted and well planned direct mail versus the bandit signs that got me in trouble.
$600 and probation? If you really wanted to make them "happy" you should have held one while they took your mug shot:)
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Nikki Robinson
Investor · Valdosta, GA · Member since 2015 · 187 posts · 112 votes
11y
They're legal in my city. No permit required. The only restrictions are that they must not be taller than 4ft in residential and not taller than 8ft in nonresidential. And must not block any public rights of way.
I put out my first batch of "bandit signs" this morning from 6:30-9:00 am. At 10:03, I received a text to my Google Voice # asking if I buy houses. I replied, "Yes I do. Do you need to sell?"
Response: I have about 20 houses to sell.
Well worth it, in my humble opinion.
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Kortez Walker
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Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2011 · 214 posts · 22 votes
11y
@Nikki Robinson that's good and I didn't know that as well. I guess it's really based on the law in the area.
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Bill Gulley
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
11y
Originally posted by @Nikki Robinson:

They're legal in my city. No permit required. The only restrictions are that they must not be taller than 4ft in residential and not taller than 8ft in nonresidential. And must not block any public rights of way.
I put out my first batch of "bandit signs" this morning from 6:30-9:00 am. At 10:03, I received a text to my Google Voice # asking if I buy houses. I replied, "Yes I do. Do you need to sell?"
Response: I have about 20 houses to sell.
Well worth it, in my humble opinion.
Blocking a public right of way is placing anything on a public right of way, you may still be on the right of way, but if you have to walk around anything, the right of way is being blocked.
That leaves private property to post on, get permission and be happy in your town, if you do it without permission, it's trespassing, littering private property.
Then, you don't really use bandit signs, you use lawful signs in your town.
Buy all 20! :)
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