All Forum Posts by: Krista Mikos

@Eric Renney 

Even though I am still extremely new at this, I have had times where I mailed 10 letters one day and got 10 responses, and then 250 letters the next and 1 response. It is all over the place. I have mailed probably 700 letters thus far but still trying to get that first deal. A lot of different circumstances have arose that have prevented the first one from getting done. Either way, your list sounds great, good luck with that! You should hopefully see some awesome results!

@Nathan Paisley Thanks so much for the input, and yes, I used to live in North NJ so amongst the other cities that are on Camden's level, I am very familiar with it! Not the best of areas but thanks so much for sharing your experience and input. Any bit helps!

@Salvatore Lentini I see you are from Pennsylvania, as I am originally from Lancaster, PA. I have tried to mail at least 3 times thus far to every person on each of my lists, but thanks for sharing, because now I will make sure to continue on to 6 or more times. I always wondered if people would hold those letters for a later date or if persistence was really the answer to this situation I'm in.

@Mike Sumsky great advice! However, when I've bought my past lists, I've never seen any options for the things you've mentioned, as far as code violations, tax delinquencies, and vacant properties. How do I get this information into a list? I'm assuming a City or Town Hall would be the answer that you would give me. It seems, though, that when I go into those Hall's, that they look at me like I have three heads and that I am speaking a language from a far away world. I feel confident when I walk in that I know what I am asking for, but when they tell me they don't know what I mean and that they cannot help me, I get frustrated and hit that roadblock of not being able to go further in my search. Any thoughts on the entire process?

Thanks everyone who continues to post!

Good responses so far. @Account Closed  thanks for the mention.

As far as looking for back taxes owed, I've pulled the list of all liens within the state of Rhode Island. Majority of them that I've looked through so far are just liens against people and not the people/property together. If I decide to go buy another list from ListSource, what is the best way to narrow it down? At this point, I cannot afford to buy thousands of names, nor to mail thousands of letters. I'm working with probably no more than 500 letters a week. And at this time of year, that doesn't seem to cut it.

I've been told by a few BP members that this work now will pay off tenfold come January/February, etc. Who else agrees?

I've been struggling with this, too. I am sending yellow letters to absentee owners in and out of state and this month is just killing me. Barely a handful of responses per hundreds of letters sent. So unbelievable frustrating. Especially being new to this business. I'm looking for as many suggestions as I can find to locate those motivated sellers. I've gotten quite a few good responses thus far, but need all the help I can get.

That's a great idea. I've never thought about that before. Thanks so much @Tim Bishop

I'm not quite sure I understand entirely how that report that you showed, @BrianGibbons, works. I read it all in its entirety, but I haven't done anything with Lease to Purchase or anything of the sort yet. Could you maybe even message me and explain more?

As for everyone else, thank you so much! Every bit helps. I won't give up, and plan to make 2015 a great year for breaking out into the business. What are other places to look for information as far as motivated sellers? I've been looking online at google maps, driving for dollars, and also looking online at public info looking for distressed homes. Any additional lists to buy? Any other places to check? Tried to go to the Probate office before, they looked at me like I had three heads and wouldn't let me get ANY records. That was, in MULTIPLE towns. Frustrating!

you guys all have good things to say so far. As far as cold calling, how does that work? I need every bit of input i can get...

How so? I'm not sure I quite understand. How will first time home owners be willing to compromise their home for a smaller all cash price? I am trying to get a grip on this to make a career out of investing. Elaborate? Thanks :)

So, as a new wholesaler, this month has been BRUTAL in every sense of the word. I've focused mainly on yellow letters, bandit signs, and social media for my marketing. I've bought a few lists from listsource.com. All of this to no avail during this month so far. Since this is my first winter season as a wholesaler, it's been pretty damaging to motivation. I refuse to give up but it is oh so hard at this point. I'm spending money to send hundreds and hundreds of letters for what? 10 tirekicker responses? It's tough when your buying less for the holidays just to spend more on direct mail.

Any tips? I am willing to take any and all directions from people who know WAY more than me. I am entirely coachable and willing to learn everything about this business. All responses would be greatly appreciated.

Krista
Middletown, RI

So...I've been told and have been hearing you have to work a million times harder than any other month during December. Well, to say the least, it has been a killer for me. I have sent hundreds of letters with literally barely even 10 responses. To make it worse, those few responses were all tire kicker, "make me an offer!," etc. types of people.

As a new wholesaler, this sort of thing makes one want to give up, hibernate for a few months, and pop back up later on. I refuse to do so though, but it feels like I am just spending money (that I don't have much of) on something that seems impossible right now. I need any suggestion I can get.

A lot of my leads I bought on listsource.com and it seems as though quite a few have bounced back. I am trying to focus on absentee owners out of state at the moment. I live in Rhode Island, so it's tiny to begin with and I seem to have limited names that keep popping up. I am trying to focus on the cheaper inner city areas but am looking all over the whole State.

Someone, anyone....help?!

Krista
Middletown, RI