The other day a guy named Frank pointed out a common problem many face when birddogging, "The biggest problem I am having is getting investors. Any tips on that?"
Instead of sending Frank a PM, I wanted everyone interested in birddogging to see this and have it become an easy reference.
In this post, I'd like to show you 11 ways you can find investors to birddog for. Please be sure to see my disclaimer at the bottom.
Let's get started...
1. We Buy Houses Signs
As you're out driving for dollars, you'll probably notice the ever common "We Buy House" signs posted around your city. These signs are typically investors who are looking for good deals. Call them up and see if they would like to work with a property locator. Building the relationship is key! If they say, "No", don't be discouraged. Just move onto the next.
2. REI Meetings
Start going to your local Real Estate Investing meetings and shaking hands with active investors. Whether they rehab, wholesale, or buy retail, you can locate properties for these investors by simply striking up a conversation, building that relationship, and getting their business card. Of course, you want to give them your business card, but you definitely want their business card because you can call them when you have a deal they like.
3. Property Locator Website
Setup a small website that allows you to capture the names and buying criteria of the investor. I found it interesting when I stumbled upon a Birddog who said they can find deeply discounted deals within "Whatever City" and was very active in referring deals. As soon as I called her, we discussed my criteria and two days later I had a potential deal.
4. Online Classified Ads/Flyers/Newpaper Ads
Whether you go the free route or the paid route, classified advertising flat out works. You can post your own ad on sites like craigslist.com or you can respond to "We Buy Houses" ads on the same site. The concept is the same as calling "We Buy Houses" bandit signs.
5. Facebook Groups
Facebook has hundreds of Real Estate Investing groups and it is full of investors. Just become their friend, build a genuine relatiohsihp, and let them know how you can help them! If the group owner allows it, you could also post an advertisment on the wall. Understand that most owners may not allow it, and it kind of veers away from relationship building, which is key. If you're able to test it out and you get many results, then more power to you!
6. Google/Facebook Advertising
For this you'll need a website or a blog, and this is only if you have the budget. The bottomline is that you can advertise within facebook or google and target real estate investors. This can get very costly, so be sure you watch your budget and are getting a good ROI.
7. Discussion Forums
Real estate discussion forums are a great way to find investors. Why? Because they're mainly for investors. BP has a couple of sections you can use to get in touch with investors. They also have the Personal Message (PM) feature, where you can build the relationship and let the investor(s) know what you do.
8. Property Wanted Section
If you go to the Property Wanted Section of BP, you'll see that all these people are looking for properties. They even lay out some of they're criteria. Why not send them a PM in reference to what they're looking for, build that relationship (I'm going to keep hammering this.) and see if they would like to work with you.
9. Look for Birddogs Wanted Sites
This is by far the easiest method. There are many sites out there who flat out say, "We're looking for Birddogs" or "We'll pay you a referral for finding a home"... Just look over the details and you'll usually be able to sign up right on the site. Some of them even offer free "getting started" guides because they want you to be as successful as possible in finding them a good deal.
10. Make Deals, Find Partners, Mentors & BirdDogs, etc
This section within BP is another place where you can let investors know what you do. Investors are looking for Birddogs in this section, so why not put yourself out there.
11. Success Story Strategy
This is a great strategy to use when you finally locate that first property and get paid. Ask the investor to do a testimonial for you and then post it on your website. Also, if you happen to partner with someone on BP, once you locate the property and get paid, ask them to go to the success story section and write a testimonial for you. It's kind of like an endorsement. When other investors on BP see this, they just might contact you so that you can do the same for them. Just be sure to be honest about finding the deal(s) NO BSing. Personally I never tried this in a discussion forum, but once you get that first property, try it out!
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There you have it. Those are 11 Ways that you can find investors to birddog for. Hopefully that will give you more investors than you can handle. Eventually you'll come to your senses and begin wholesaling, but if you're short on time and want to learn while you earn, then Birddogging is a great method.
Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinion/experience. Proceed at your own risk! Please do your own due diligence regarding birddogging. Seek legal counsel from someone who practices real estate law to ensure you are operating in accordance with your states law. This is necessary for your own protection. I REFUSE to go down this rabbit hole again. :roll:
