All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

K. Marie Poe But for those with limited resources: I suggest learning more about who might be motivated, what problems they need solved and what you can bring to the table. Then focus your marketing on what you learn.

Can you go into more detail on what you say to sellers on the first call to bring out the motivation? I think this is where I'm stuck. My phone is ringing but my skills in this are a bit green. Any advice to turn leads into deals would be amazing.

Also, can you go into the criteria for your mailing lists. Here's mine: Absentee owners, different cities each mailing, at least 30% equity, and have owned the property for at least five years.

Is there anything you can think of that could make my lists better?

Sharon Vornholt Sharon, your article couldn't come at a better time for me. I'm a new investor. I've been doing direct mail for 2 months and I'm having a rough time getting my first deal. Please let me know when you post your article.

I've been doing direct mail marketing, using a 800 number that gets transferred to my cell phone. I currently work full time, so it is difficult to answer calls live. I do have caller ID so I get these peoples phone numbers even if they don't leave a message.

I've noticed a lot of people call and don't leave a message. Should I call these people back? Or should I assume they aren't that interested if they didn't leave a message. (I've heard people argue both opinions.)

At first I did answer every call. Just about every call was a time waster, or angry person trying to take out their frustrations on me. Especially the people who didn't leave messages. I would LOVE to just return calls of those who leave messages, but that may just be the lazy approach.

Anyway, those who do direct mail, please let me know your opinion on this topic.

Were talking $160K. Nothing huge. Just a SFR.

Ok, so I'm working on my first deal in REI ever! Woo hoo!

We intend to buy, fix and flip this property. The seller would consider holding the note if our intention was to pay her back within 1-2 years. She does not want a note for 15-30 years. I told her no problem, we plan on flipping anyway.

SO, now what? Where do I get the forms or legal contracts for seller financing? Do I have to make it complicated and get a lawyer? Or are there simple forms online that I can use?

Can I put somewhere that the seller can call the loan back by a certain time, so she is at ease that we will pay her back within 1-2 years?

What are typical seller financing terms? Down payment amount? Interest rate? etc...

And how do I structure this with the deed and everything. How do I stay protected and she stay protected? Would escrow be able to help on this part?

Any advice would help. Or references to other articles or websites are helpful as well.

Thanks!

Braden Chandler Just wondering, for the direct mail, what kind of letter are you sending. Post card? Letter? Does it look more like a letter or a "We Buy Houses Cash"ad?

Thanks for all your help!

Well I guess I must have put something in the air because I got my first lead after only sending 30 emails. Who knows where this will go but its a lead! And the guy is a professor at a nearby college, so he scores low on the weirdo-meter.

I'll keep you guys posted.

@bradenchandler Thanks for responding! No I wasn't taught in a course. I just thought to try it out. I have heard through these forums that people have used CL in their business.

I am mailing to absentee owners right now too. What would you say is your response rate on those?

I recently have attempted to use Craigslist to search for leads to BUY. I am in the business of buying, wholesaling and rehabbing homes. I've been emailing 10-15 people a day with the same letter, but changing it for whatever city they say their house or condo is in.

I'm emailing the ads in the "for rent" section, I search "House" and keep the rent under $3000 (to weed out the high end stuff). the reason I search "House" is I don't want to weed through a bunch of apartment community ads to get to the people that own single family houses and condos.

So far I haven't received any responses. I know its still early in the game, but I wanted to see if I'm doing something wrong or if I could be doing something better.

I am emailing them through a personal gmail account too. I was wondering if Craigslist has a way of blocking my emails to these people when I use those email addresses they have that hide the peoples real one. ( Ex: [email protected])

I just find it weird that not one person has responded. Even with a "I'm not interested, go pound sand." Just makes me think I could be doing something better.

If anyone has used craigslist to BUY homes, please respond with your opinion and share any tips that have worked for you.

Thank you! Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to start a direct mail campaign to hopefully pick up some rehab/house flipping deals. My brother who is an experienced investor insists I need MLS access because its been giving him a lot of valuable information on the leads that come in. I personally cannot afford MLS access right now (Its $1000 per year.) I'm not willing to pay that unless I know I absolutely cannot be successful with out it.

For now, do you think I could get by without MLS access by just using sites like zillow for comparable sales? Once I get a couple deals, I'll be more willing to pay the $$. But until I see $$ coming in I am really nervous about dropping $1000. I'm already spending a lot on the marketing.

Experienced investors, do you use MLS? How has it helped and could you get by without it?? How did you get access to it? Any ways around these fees?

Thanks!

Lauren