All Forum Posts by: Brandon Foken

I'm not sure I follow the question, Bill. I'm not advertising FOR others; I'm advertising TO them. I want to buy their house, not list it, sell it, etc. I'm not sure how that would skirt any RE laws. I may be misreading the question, so please clarify if need be.

I spent some hours today creating my new blogging site and separating my blogging activities from my lead generation activities. Thanks again to everyone who contributed their opinion - this is why I spend way too much time on this site!

Matt Capers, okay that makes sense. I know of Zumper through friends of friends. It seems like that service isn't entirely necessary in a crowded and extremely low vacancy areas such as SF & NYC. Sounds like you have an interesting idea - best of luck to you!

Thanks for all the replies. I was all set to keep my blog and lead generation web-site the same, but I think the comments from Sharon Vornholt, Seth Williams & Brandon Turner have swayed my opinion the opposite direction. I was actually struggling what I was going to blog about this week, but I think this strategy will make topics easier to come up with as I have a much narrower target market for each now.

Sharon - I'm currently "interviewing" a few different people on oDesk.com to do SEO work for my website. You have to be diligent in reviewing their work (you get screenshots taken randomly in 10 minute intervals) but it seems like a good service. Rates range from $1.50/hr. up to $5.50/hr. May be a good option for you?

Seth - I've noticed that when I spun up a AdWords campaign every single one of the leads that generated came from way outside my farm area. Have you found a way to effectively filter/segment the leads so you just get leads in your area? Or are you wanting to have leads across the country?

Michael G.

Yes! Absolutely! I don't understand the desire to break the law or at least skirt it to get ahead. The way you do ONE thing is often the way you do ALL things. So if you are okay with breaking the law in one regard, why wouldn't you be okay with it in another instance?

I can agree to an extent but not when it comes to my business. If someone is doing something that is detrimental to your livelihood you are of course going to be judgmental of that person. People not involved in REI lump every single investor in the same bucket. If one acts illegally, shady or under-handed then that looks bad for all real estate investors - you included.

Of course, these are just my $.02

Dang, Steve. I already did a search but you truly are a BP search ninja. Thanks!

Howdy, Matt. I'm local here in San Francisco as well in the Cow Hollow area. Welcome! How does rentobo differ from zumper?

Does everyone just throw away their returned mailers?

Thanks, Joshua Dorkin & Jon K.. You have validated that my current strategy is the right one for me going forward. As a beginner I hope that my blog accelerates my credibility here in the Bay.

Josh - For curiosity's sake do you keep a separate online persona/hub outside of BP? For instance, is there a separate website you own/maintain that you leverage as well as being here on BP? Such as a blog regarding creating online communities/fostering relationships/etc.? J=

3/5 Update:

Made 2 verbal offers on rentals to gauge interest - both were very quickly shot down. I've received about 30 total calls but none have been motivated in the least. I'm starting to think my first list wasn't the best (no big surprise there). I'll keep mailing this list another 6 times but I may filter it down a bit to be a little more concentrated in my efforts.

I think my second list will focus only on out-of-state absentee owners and very high equity owner occupants. I'll be expanding my geographic area slightly for my absentee owners out to some areas of Contra Costa County in hopes of accelerating my success.

Still plugging away daily and hopes are still high my first deal is around the corner.

In late November, I created a website and the main purpose of that site was to find leads. Through some pressure by my lovely girlfriend, I started blogging in order to establish some authority in my farm area. A lot of my posts are catered to beginning investors with lots of how-to guides and examinations of a fledgling real estate investing company. So on my same main website I have a overview of my farm area, a buyer's page, a sell your home form and my blog. Eventually, once I complete a project, I'll have a section showing all the work I've completed.

So, my question is: should I separate the blogging/market overview from my lead generation activities. I've debated the pros and cons of each too many times in my head and would love the advice of someone who has been at this a lot longer than five months. For me the pros & cons of having it all on one-page are:

Pros:
- Easier to maintain and manage
- Cheaper
- Establish authority quickly
- Unified front/messaging
- Some people may like to see that I'm an actual, real human being

Cons:
- Seeing the nitty-gritty details may turn off some sellers
- May be slightly confusing to navigate if all you want is a "squeeze page"

Like I said, I'd love some feedback on those who both blog and have a significant online lead acquisition strategy. Thanks! And no, this wasn't a clever way just to drive some traffic to my site :)