All Forum Posts by: Jon C.

I'd create an account and start playing with the search options. Like the phone rep said, there are a ton of variables you can add/change/exclude. You can get all the way to seeing how many leads are generated and the cost, without buying anything.

I'm not sure what more you get from paying for a subscription. I just filled out their form, created an account, and started searching. I've bought multiple lead lists from them without paying any subscription fees; cost about $.18 per lead.

Will, I hope you never change your pic. Its the first thing I notice whenever I look at a message thread.

As a new investor, I concentrate on probates and absentee owners. I am trying to research code violations as well. The commonalities are 1)motivation to sell, 1)not listed on mls, 3)less competition.

I am also starting to bid on HUDS. While these do not meet the above criteria, the process is so easy and emotionless, its almost automatic.

I'm not a fan of the name, not if its supposed to be your professional web presence. The word peddler brings to mind cheap and sleazy to me. Smut peddler was the first thing that came to mind, honestly. If it was me, I'd let it expire and go for something else. I don't know what your site is about but if its a standard lead capture/property listing site, why not:

KenBuysProperty.com
KenBuysHomes.com
LannonProperties.com
LannonHomes.net

No need to be catchy or quirky. Not every site needs to be eBay, Amazon, or Google. Like Michael said, you aren't going to be found through natural search results anyway.

edit: dammit, Michael beat me to it...

Another reason for a return address is for returned mail. Why waste money sending out letters to wrong addresses? I always get a handful of letters back as undeliverable.

I also use my home address, not a po box. I think it looks less like junk mail. If someone wants to really track me down, its not hard. They have my full name(which is pretty unique) and can look me up in the assessor's website, just like I look them up. I'm not worried because its not like I am sending pics of dead animals or something.

I'm in the middle of taking licensing classes. I plan to take the test but I am still torn on whether to get the license or not, mainly because of all the little things. For example, all my advertising needs to express that I am an agent. I also don't want to have to report myself to the real estate commission if I get a traffic ticket or worse. Basically, I don't like the idea of having to answer to the commission and a broker for anything. But I have a few questions about things.

1. Where do I find brokers to hang my license who don't care if I ever do a deal? I assume I can't just call Keller Willaims or Cenury 21 for this?
2. What's a ballpark figure on monthly cost for that if all I need is MLS access?
3. Do I need to have all my advertising(bandit signs/direct mail/craigslist/etc) be approved by the broker?

I put out 50 signs two times, in different areas. I got one call each and one was another investor, complaining about his lack of response from them as well. My results may be unusual after reading about how bandit signs are so amazing. But I've given up on them for now as the cost and time involved hasn't been worth it to me.

I wouldn't deal with the probate attorney for anything. Deal with the personal rep to negotiate the deal and your title company to close.

As a new investor wishing to wholesale, what is the best way to approach an agent to assist me in my business? What I would like from an agent is a)access to the mls, b)access to homes, c)agent who can bid on HUD and d)familiarity with investor methods(lots of low offers).

Since I am new, I feel like I am asking a lot of an agent, without a proven track record myself. Plus, their only monetary benefit would be a possible low HUD commission and maybe referrals. In other words, why would any agent bother with me, especially to the level of giving me access to their mls login? How do I best approach this subject or provide a compelling reason/incentive for an agent to work with me?