Being in the direct mail business it's vital to have uniqueness..

Location is vital for almost any STR.

They tend to be over priced to begin with, and some times missing a piece of vital information such as the Executors mailing address.Absentee lists, High Equity, and even negative equity are easily obtainable from places like List Source, Property Radar etc.

Maybe "homework" was a bad word but more of a take away sheet knowing the vital information so they can move in on time.Thanks so much for the great responses.  

I agree with you 100% at the very minimum education, and a very extensive one is going to be vital.

I am just using it to my advantage.Brian, your logic is missing a vital piece here.

I think it's vital that you are EXTREMELY specific with your DM criteria.  

Fitzgerald Hall IMHO when marketing it is vital that you deliver your message in a fashion which attracts as much opportunity as it can.

I personally do not wholesale but having wholesalers is vital to the industry in many instances.  

.* Building Ordinance & Law - This is a vital coverage when you invest in older buildings (say 15+ years old).