Local folks can jump a head of all those post cards by knocking on doors of NOD lists.  

I've read some older posts here about the best companies to track down the executor/PR of estate from my returned probate postcards.

Make up postcards and hand out to everyone you see - advertise in every paper, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace and renew it regularly.

They don't actively advertise it, but if you talk to enough people mingling after the meeting they will tell you.Another way to find money is to put a little plug in your marketing letters and postcards as a P.S. 

I will create a landing page to drive them to in my post card mailings to them to get the to give me their email address in return for a detailed market analysis report.

Don't waste your time on mailings such as postcards and letters.

Do you guys go through your motivated sellers list, such as looking the properties up online or driving by them to see if they look vacant or do you just send out your postcards/letters? 

Buyer's List --Find Investors / Rehabbers interested in my area --understand their requirements and expected profit and price range 5 Find --at least Three RE attorneys --for closing --who understands Investors , double closing etc 6 Find and interview at least Three or Four REO listing agents --who may be willing to work with me--use them as my buyer's agent --offer them full commission - 7 Determine Farming Area -- check out for sale and for rent -- evelauate comps and actual sold -in that area - 8 Understand rental demand and rental rates in area --find several rental maangement companies- 9 Detremine Profit Formula -- check Justin's Blog about Wholesaling and my comments --Jason also has some good comments -- Determine your niche price range and minimum profit required. 10.Start checking houses --REOs, FSBOs, MLS etc -- OR you can sign up for $20 to $50 per month --to buy Motivated Seller's Leads-- 11 Evaluate and Start making offers -- 10 per week -- $2000 may not enough --may need to spend $5000 to $10,000 to get lot of leads flowing and get going -- get website , flyers, direct mail postcards , etc -- One other comment-even though -father is a contractor- need to get at least two other contractors for estimate --as matter of second opinion --for at least first two or three properties-- May want to consider renting and holding few homes --since your father is contractor--may save lot on repairs --and pay only for materials --offer equity or partnership for his labor cost --once fixed up and rented out --refinance and get cash out -- Check other topic we had few days ago --about the Key Words-to find Motivated Sellers or good deals --in MLS Good Luck --keep us posted .P.

I had an out state property owner respond to my yellow post card marketing.

Personally I prefer postcards to yellow letters.