Open response rate of Direct Mail = .1% (.2% if you are lucky, but sometimes can be less than 1% depending on your market of competitors). 7,2000 = 600 letters sent per month for 1 year (600 x 12 months)72 = 7,200 x .1% (open response rate)36 = 72 x .50% (homeowners that request to get off the mailing list or not interested in selling).18 = 36 x 50% (total # of possible deals)1.5 monthly average deal = 18 divided by 12 months a yearThe issues I have with Direct Mail are:1) Direct Mail is easy to learn, which makes it more accessible to every new wholesaler to do which creates more compeition.2) Direct Mail seems to work best in big quanitites of mailers sent becuase of the level of compeition.3) Kepping a solid tracking system for Direct Mail is not fully accuratea.

I do not compete against my competitors.

The good part is, if it’s a simple waterline service job they are usually pretty competitive, and if you share the numbers their competitors gave with them they will usually try and beat it.

Depending on competitors, can take a year.

Now I’m not trying to steal anyone’s or get on the same lists as you and be your competitor (company I work for does their own marketing).

The only things that might give you an edge over competitors is utilities includes or in-unit washer/dryer.

I do know my competitor down the street is in the process of building more.

It's easiest for me but there are plenty of other competitors with similar products, for what its worth.I used a commercial loan and an LLC to limit liability. 

We use actual bids from contractors and our own estimates of interior rehab.We did call and visit some of the apartments in our rent comps to see what are our competitors were doing in terms of unit quality and rents offering.  

In the meantime, we have started referring excess new customers to a local "competitor" who is trying to launch his similar service business and support a family.