Maybe you start taking shortcuts (possible doing illegal things, or shady business practices).

Shortcuts won't get you very far.Good luck.

A below average PMC will approach self-showings the same haphazard way they approach the rest of their services and have issues.Regarding theft, vandalism and squatters - they occured before self-showings became popular.

What I am truly looking for is what people are practicing for more deal flow (what kind of data would be a great start) and yes with maximum profits I am not looking to shortcut my business. 

You can also use Facebook groups for the area, Craigslist, or BP marketplace.You can shortcut many of these steps using software tools.

There are no shortcuts on the road to success.

Once you know what your piece can do, then you can make decisions about tinkering and modifying things in a way that will improve your response rate.The bottom line, is I've been doing this long enough to know that there are no shortcuts to success in direct mail.

Maybe you only know house flipping but after listening to a podcast on wholesaling, that suddenly sounds more in line with your skill set.I am learning at the ripe age of 40 that shortcuts don't exist.

I don't find it useful as if I'm going to take short cuts in my analysis i will use the local market expense ratios , not something based on nationwide figures.  

Follow the law and don't take any shortcuts unless you are willing to take the risk.