I too, got caught up with the shiny object syndrome.

aka "I know there's 10% Cap stuff out there at 3% down" syndrome. 

Don't get me wrong; there are plenty of issues/problems/quirks that old houses have that new houses don't, and an old house can obviously have hidden problems and big repair/maintenance bills too--which is why thorough due diligence is fundamental to REI...but, the point is: a brand new house is not a foolproof solution to repairs/maintenance headaches (and in some cases, a brand new house can be a much bigger gamble than an older house).This is a particularly important lesson for inexperienced investors, who tend to be the most prone to "shiny object syndrome" (the tendency to let nice aesthetics distract from real, underlying issues).

Like when we work tax sales in Memphis we can buy 30 properties in two days with our direct mail piece... but here in Oregon the top wholesalers I know that use all the tried and true methods IE  direct mail.. bus bench's bird dogs bandit signs etc.. they will spend 20 to 30k a MONTH.. its all a numbers game. and it really depends on the marketYou could send letters in parts of Detroit and get HUGE positive response.. or Eastern New York or any other major rust belt city were you have more homes than people or in areas that are renter dominated and your target is burnt out landlord syndrome. the area you choose is as important and the direct mail piece you send.  

Grumpy old man syndrome.

Shiny object syndrome.

Sure you can "outsource" it (to people who will later sue you because they developed carpal tunnel syndrome).There are plenty of places that will print yellow letters with a handwritten font, if that's what you think will be effective.

(They're the ones that coined the term "Sudden Wealth Syndrome" based on all the newly minted -and depressed!

@James Wise  blind squirrel syndrome.. but just think all the newbies that pony up a couple grand  then the 650 turn downs.. etc etc.

Is this a common syndrome?