Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Investor Club

Sample Letter for Vancant Homes

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  • 15 Mar 2012 11:22 AM
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    Message # 859817
    Dan Collum
    I'm looking for a sample letter that would be good for mailing to owners of vacant homes.  Several examples, and any suggestions would be great! Thanks, -Dan
  • 16 Mar 2012 7:27 AM
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    Reply # 860583 on 859817
    Deleted user
    Dan,

    Here are the two most common types of Marketing Letters to Vacant Home Owners available for free. I strongly suggest you NOT use them in their current form. Aside from the gramitcal issues, the salesmanship and crafting of the letters is poor.

    Instead, why not try posting your sample here and get feedback from the community.

    -Greg

    +++++++++++START+++++++++++++++++

    Sample Yellow Letters to Vacant Home Owners

    SAMPLE #1

    Dear (owners first name),

    Hi, my name is (your name).

    I would like to $ Buy $ your house at 123 N Main St.

    Please call me at 123-456-7890.

    Thanks

    (sign your name)


    SAMPLE #2

    Hi <Name>

    I’m sorry to contact you like this, but I wasn’t sure how else to reach you.  This letter is in regards to the house you may own at 123 Main PL, in City.   It looks to be vacant and if so I can only imagine it being a drain on your family’s finances.  

    I am looking to purchase a house in the area within the next two months and would love to be able to take the burden of a vacant home from you and ease your minds as you are probably wondering how you will sell in such a down market.  

    I can purchase your house in “as is” condition and relieve you of your stress in a matter of weeks.  

    When a house is vacant, it is very susceptible to looters who can steal the copper wires as well as the furniture and appliances.  Worse yet is that the pipes could freeze over the winter and cause thousands of dollars of damage and make the house harder to sell, losing you money.   A little know fact is that homeowners' insurance policies typically require that the owner live in the house.  

    Please contact me immediately in order to sell your property at 120 Wilson Pl before the winter months come.  

    Once I find a house to buy this opportunity to rid yourself of this financial burden will be gone.  Call now.

    +++++++++++END+++++++++++++++++


    If there is anything else I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to let me know.


    -Greg Wilson

    The REI Mentor

    http://www.reimentor.com
  • 16 Mar 2012 3:01 PM
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    Reply # 860921 on 859817
    Dan Collum

    First Question, should I set up a form letter? And fill in the blanks?? I plan on mailing hundreds of letters.

    Next, do Post Cards normally get ignored? Are they better or less effective than a letter?

    I’ve never done it, but it seems that there’s a way to integrate Excel, and Word to have a form letter be automatically filled in with the information off of Excel…. Anyone use that technique? It would look like it was individually typed up, and with a hand written signature, might look less gimmicky.  

     My sample letter to be critiqued:               

     Hi Richard,

    The other day I was driving down Arbor Ln here in Arlington, because I’m looking to buy a house in that area. I noticed your vacant house at 1543 Arbor Ln. I got to thinking that you may want to sell it, since it’s expensive and difficult to maintain an empty house. I’d like to make an offer on it “as is” and I plan to get you cash for the house and to close really quickly.

    If you call me, we could both be doing each other a favor. Selling the house could resolve some headaches on your end, and help me out by getting a home I can fix up.

    I hope to hear from you soon,

    Dan Collum

    817 729 7298    

    OR if I want to be upfront about being an investor:

    Hi Richard,

    Just the other day we were driving down Arbor Ln, looking at homes in that area, because we want to purchase a few houses in the neighborhood. We saw your home at 1543 Arbor Ln, and it looks like a house we’d like to buy and repair. Knowing how expensive it can be to maintain an empty house, we’d be glad to make an offer for it.  We want to help owners by buying all cash, and closing within a few weeks.

    If you call us, we could both be doing each other a favor. Also, if you’re not ready to sell just now, would you stick this letter on your refrigerator, because you never know when things will change.

    I hope we get to hear from you soon,

    Dan Collum

    Realty Resolutions

    817 719 7298

     

    OK, let the critiques fly!!

    Thanks,

    Dan
  • 16 Mar 2012 8:27 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 861081 on 859817
    Deleted user
    I've done post cards and letters. Both can get really expensive, really quick, if you plan to mass mail an entire neighborhood or part of a city.

    I used www.click2mail.com the last time I mailed postcards. You can create the post card and send the cards via the website and never have to go to a printer, lick a stamp, pay for mailing lists or go to the post office. It's very convenient for about 40 cents per card.

    I personally don't think mass mailing letters is worth the extra expense, except when you REALLY want to get the attention of a specific person about a specific house. If I want to mass mail a neighborhood, then I use cards. If I have specific addresses that looks promising, like your Arbor Ln. address in Arlington, then I'll mail letters.

    If you use Microsoft Word/Excel, just do a little reading about the Mail Merge feature in Word. The first time I did it, I was printing letters and envelopes in less than an hour later. There are several youtube type videos online that can help you learn the process.

    Although we have different writing styles, I like your investor letter better.

    Anyway, that's my take on the whole deal. Your mileage may vary..  :)
    Last modified: 16 Mar 2012 11:38 PM | Deleted user
  • 18 Mar 2012 8:50 AM
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    Reply # 862044 on 859817
    Deleted user
    Dan,

    There is a general rule of thumb in our business -- "the harder / more expensive a tool / technique is, USUALLY, the more effective it is." That said, here is the break down of what I have found to be true over the years from most to least effective direct-mail:
    1. Highly targeted, 100% handwritten, yellow letters are the most effective direct mail pieces, followed by 
    2. Highly targeted, 100% handwritten, "white" letters, followed by 
    3. Highly targeted, mail-merged letters that are hand-signed, followed by 
    4. Highly targeted, mail-merged letters that look hand-signed (there are 100s of "handwriting fonts available), followed by 
    5. Highly targeted, mail-merged letters that look amateurish, followed by
    6. Highly targeted, mail-merged letters that look professional, followed by 
    7. Highly targeted, mail-merged post cards that look amateurish, followed by
    8. Highly targeted, mail-merged post cards that look professional, followed by
    9. The same pattern repeats for "shotgun," blanket, or non-targeted mailings.
    Hope this helps.

    -Greg Wilson
    The REI Mentor

    PS - The most effective sources I have ever found for obtaining the targeted mailing leads lists are a) Robin Carriger's "Motivated Sellers" list (paid) and b) First American / ReaList lists from Realtors (free).
    Last modified: 18 Mar 2012 8:50 AM | Deleted user
  • 18 Mar 2012 5:12 PM
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    Reply # 862391 on 859817
    Dan Collum
    Great info guys!! I really appreciate it. And would love even more feedback. I looked at other forums, and NEVER found such specific, helpful advice on ANY of them. This may end up being a great resource for lots of other beginners too. THANKS!
  • 19 Mar 2012 9:33 AM
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    Reply # 862972 on 859817
    Deleted user
    You're welcome. 

    The best thing we can do is let other investors know that this forum is here and try to get them to use it too. The more active users we have, the better advice we'll all get -- and the more money we'll make / save.

    Happy investing!

    -Greg Wilson
    The REI Mentor
  • 22 Mar 2012 2:20 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 865648 on 859817
    Cindy Carriger (Administrator)
    Dan-
    either letter sounds nice.  But, most folks kinda figure out you must be an investor to be mailing like this- so, probably best to go with the up front version.  ONe caution, try not to say I saw your vacant house...the 2nd card sounded a bit better, although you wound up saying empty...i would mainly do that only if i KNEW for SURE that it was vacant...cause sometimes you can get surprised...and might get a nasty reply (not too likely)- or they may ditch the card since they think you are so dumb you cant tell an occupied house when you see one, or they are insulted and ditch the card.  Maybe i am over analyzing, or being hyper sensitive...but- imagine if your grandmother lived in that house and she can't keep it nice, and you just insulted grandma.  Anyway- the letters sound great anyway.  And- Joe had great recommendation for the click to mail with the USPS i believe if it is the same i am thinking of.  Plus, Joe was right about using the postcards for most stuff, i.e. from lists, but if you saw the house and really want to make a better impression on a certain house, then the letter might be good.  Also, if you are doing a specific marketing to say probate or pre-foreclosure you have to be sensitive not to announce it to all who see the postcard...(be discreet).  

    Your on the right track!
    best wishes- and Happy Investing!
  • 16 Apr 2012 11:18 AM
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    Reply # 890869 on 859817
    Dan Collum
    I've been referencing this forum over and over, so I wanted to post again and say THANKS for the insight! and the encouragement! We're moving slow, but we're  moving..... and you guys are a big help! I really appreciate you!
  • 18 Apr 2012 5:23 AM
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    Reply # 892256 on 859817
    Deleted user
    Welcome! Pay it forward.

    -Greg Wilson
    The REI Mentor
    http://www.reimentor.com
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