All Forum Posts by: Bryce DeCora

@Alfredo Villegas I use batchiptracing with coupon code TTP

If you focus on running high volumes of text blasting and cold calling through the CRM automation, Podio is not going to work.  It would be better to use a specialized Text Blast (ex. ReiReply) or Cold Call (ex. Mojo) system to make initial contact, then move good leads over to Podio for follow up.

I've been down that road... not worth the hassle.  I am building my own CRM and wanted it to auto-pull owner information and property data.  I use the Melissa Data API now and it aggregates data from county pages across the nation on a regular basis to provide you with up to date data.  It manages the data for you and you query with an API.

Good for you on setting up a system with Agile mentality.  Instead of getting everything perfect, then taking action, you got it good enough and then can make improvements.  👏 

I used to focus on text, mail and cold calling.  Now I just do SMS.  If you're doing mail, make sure you have at least $10,000 that you can spend freely on it in the next 5 months.  If you don't have that, wait until you get your first deal or two through cold calling and SMS.  Mail will drain your budget if you don't give it enough time to mature.

Where do you live?  In my area (Seattle) a full rehab not including exterior work and electrical/ plumbing/ drywall costs $30/sq ft. Example for a 1500 sq ft house:

1500 sq ft x $30 = $45,000

General costs of additional items are as follows... of course this can vary greatly, but will give you a start:

Roof = $15,000

Electrical Panel = $5,000

Landscaping = $5,000

Exterior Paint = $6,000

Basic Deck build = $5,000

So your formula to calculate total rehab is:

Area x $30/sqft + Additional Item Costs

First of all, yes ditch excel!

If you're looking for a solid base that would be able to integrate with other systems, Podio is decent.  You would have to build out a lot of the integrations yourself or hire it out via GlobiFlow (free with paid Podio account).  This is a drag and drop automator specifically for Podio.

I chose to build my own CRM because I want extreme control over the mass prospecting I do out of my CRM as well.  If you're only managing your existing or inbound leads, you don't need to get fancy. 

@Zach Wilson PO Box most definitely.  Never use personal residence.

You can add mailing from any CRM with an open API by utilizing lob.com.  You'll need help from any developer, but you can set up your CRM to send a packet of information to lob.com whenever you want (i.e. button click or time-based) that will send your mail.  You include the to address, mail image or HTML, and from address for them to print and send.  There are other companies that will do the same, but will handwrite for you, but they are about 5x more expensive.  Check Handwrite.io.

I've built my own CRM that uses lob.com for mail, and SignalWire for SMS.

Check out my YouTube (check my bio).  I worked at Boeing as a software developer.  $85k salary, benefits, 401k.  I was almost able to match the $85k my first year working real estate after work hours flipping and doing wholesale... it took 4 months to make my first paycheck though.  After seeing that, I burnt the bridge.  Year 2 was about the same as year 1.  Now year 3 it looks like my wife and I are on track for $500k gross.

@Andrew Sanders I started a little over two years ago.  Left my full time job over a year ago to invest full time.  Every state has advantages and disadvantages, just start taking action.