I am planning to start a website soon and want people's advice regarding my marketing strategy as it relates to SEO.I have recently had an eye-catching logo designed that I hope to use on signage and draw customers by brand recognition from my memorable company name.  

Now since I have a logo now and a printer I'll start a serious mail campaign of expired listings near the markets of colleges.

Company logos cannot be used for that purpose.

The sign in the yard with your name (maybe that small emblem as a logo) relates your name to these elements and to the quality of your work.Put the sign up as soon as possible and get started, it indicates how long you'll take on the job.

Or can it be something catchy like the rest of the hot start ups in silicon valley that rely on logos and branding?

BTW, here's some other things that you do not need in order to wholesale. a website a company name a logo a "team" a Realtora business plana mission statement branding etc

If any changes are made to the form agreement, (1) the logo must be removed, (2) any references to the NC Bar/NC Association of Realtors must be removed and (3) a conspicuous statement must be included clearly indicating that the form has been modified from its original and that it is not a NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AND/OR NORTH CAROLINA BAR ASSOCIATION FORM. 

Thinking about it, I guess you could put one of those "house with an equal sign" logos.  

Trademark rights develop when you use a name or logo in such a way that it identifies your goods or services.

You can even put your logo & take the estimate and bring it to the bank.