Is it possible to obtain section 8 listings without a voucher?

Question

Multiple wholesalers on BP tell me they obtain a listing of section 8 housing properties and then contact the owners directly. Apparently this is a great way to build a buyers list. However, when I went into the office today I was told you cannot look at the listings until you apply for a voucher and are accepted. Has anyone else has this problem? And more importantly, is there a way around this issue?

James Hiddle · Answer

Well that's 12 possible buyers better than 0. Contrary to popular opinion you don't need a huge buyers list in fact you want quality not quantity focus on buyers who will actually BUY from you.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Find somebody with a voucher, and offer them something in return for access to that list ...

Scott R. · Answer

Did it work!?

Sage Jankowitz · Answer

It's funny you ask. The next morning after our discussion I spoke with some rehabbers in the area. They're looking for much higher priced homes and it seems like section 8 isn't the way to go. I still want to check it out either this weekend or in the coming week though. Gotta cover all my corners. I'll let you know...

Scott R. · Answer

Weird.. Just posted about that in your other post! lol -Scott

Scott R. · Answer

Good Luck!

Sage Jankowitz · Answer

I'll give it a shot tomorrow Scott. Will update with results...

Scott R. · Answer

Probablly not going to be as many posted as you think. Id say theres probablly 20 properties posted the few times ive seen our board, and of those, most of them are owned by the same people, maybe 10-12 different landlords. In my little experience with section 8, section 8 tenants will find you, you dont really need to search for them, if the property is in an area that qualifys for section 8 tenants (price wise). In my area ALL I generally do for my rentals is put a sign up, and the calls come in by the tons, about 25% asking about section 8. Most landlords around here will put "section 8 approved" or something like that on the sign/window/flyer. I'd start out by telling them your a landlord and looking to start renting to section 8 tenants, I did this when I first went down there and they gave me a brochure or two, told me a tad bit of information. I then asked how I advertise to section 8 tenants and thats when I was told about "the board" I was writing down stuff for different reasons then you, I wanted to compare my rental prices, as most landlords seem to up the price for section 8 tenants, something I didnt know. IDK if all of the HUD offices have the same board or not. Our office is set up where you walk in and talk to the receptionist and theres a waiting area, then you have to walk to the back to the offices where they do all the paperwork ect. Theres 2 or 3 chairs outside the offices and thats where the board is, so only way you'd ever see it or know it was there is to be in the offices. When people are applying/filling out section 8 paperwork they generally look over the board out of boredom. When I filled out my paperwork I saw several people look over the board. Although I have not advertised there, seems like a good cheap place for landlords to advertise. I'm 23, and when I walked in there the first few times they wernt real helpful, desk lady was kinda rude, ect. Once they found out I was a landlord they were alot nicer/helpful. Just make them think your a landlord! :) Also the cheaper the newspaper the cheaper the rentals generally. I wont pay $60 to advertise my low income rental in the local news paper, but I will pay $15 to place it in the thrifty nickel, alot of those adds specify section 8 or not, where as the higher dollar ones do not.

Sage Jankowitz · Answer

Thanks Scott, very helpful. I plan to do just that tomorrow. Do you have any problems when writing all the contact info for all the posted properties? If I'm there for 30 mins and I'm just writing down numbers on a notepad they might get suspicious, no?

Scott R. · Answer

First, in my area atleast, theres generally an area or two or three of town that has alot of section 8 tenants, not war zones, but lower class areas, drive these areas, get numbers and flyers for for rent properties. My local section 8 office has a bullitin board where you are allowed to post your properties for rent, You have to go to the office, but you can check out some of the properties, I just tell them im there to post one and they allow me to go to where it is. Atleast here, theres no special "listings" for section 8 tenants, local news paper, thrifty nickel and such may say they allow section 8, but theres no section 8 specific listings, just there board that anyone can tack a flyer to. -Scott