Need inspection work? Get up to 250 good local inspection leads now. Totally free!

[hlowe]

Thanks Nick!...............I'm definitely in. I've sent you my email, and am waiting patiently, hoping you have leads in the Toronto area, as well.

[Brian M. OKeefe]

UPDATE FROM POST # 192:

Dec. 15th and I have gotten 15 more back from USPS stating vacant. Total of 20. I am just glad I am not one of them that has 2 mortgage payments.
Still know calls or e-mails. I too am in agreement with Russell Spriggs. It probably is the wrong time of the year to have sent these out. I am going to get an updated batch and try again in the middle of Feburary. I will keeep everyone posted if anything changes.

[Nick Gromicko]

I don't know. Roughly 1/2 of all sales last month involved a home that was in foreclosure and the bulk of the buyers were NOT investors... they were people who were moving into these homes. This means that they are each selling a home. Which means that the are included in these leads. Yes it might not be the exact right time... it might be early. But early is where you want to be for direct mailing these leads.

[Paul Pendley]

Nick,

I did some homework (first batch of 250) before mailing these out and found that most were already foreclosed and empty or short sales....I did get a 2nd batch which I mailed 100 of the 250 after doing the same research and found that the 2nd batch was somewhat more accurate. Im guessing that most of these will end up being early stage foreclosure or short sale which the current owner will throw my marketing material in the can.....Hope Im Wrong......

[Nick Gromicko]

True. A percentage of sellers (who of course are the buyers we are targeting) are in foreclosure or heading that way. These buyers will, IMHO, be much less likely to hire an inspector (on either side of the transaction) as the rest of the leads will be.

[Jamie A. Stoulil]

Mine is on the way Nick

Thanks for all you do....

[Brian Long]

Hi all, please do not expect direct marketing to be easy right now. The market is moving extremely slow and you will need to work for hard for every job you get. The fact remains, however, that everyone on your list is selling a home and will probably need the services of an inspector in the near future. Your challenge is to make sure that inspector is you. The work you do now will pay off in the spring.

It will be a good idea to send a second mail piece to the same list in early January. You might also consider a 'fresh' list in early February.

If you feel that your message is getting lost in the 'junk mail', you may also consider alternative delivery methods:

1) Purchase some plastic 'door-hanger' bags and stuff them with your marketing materials.
2) Keep your prospect list handy and drop off materials when you are in their neighborhood. Note that it is a violation of USPS rules to put your materials in their mailbox. Likewise, do not use the newspaper delivery box (if they have one) because your material may get tossed with the rest of the newspaper inserts and advertisements. You should hang your materials on the front door knob for the best visibility.
3) Or, hire a local high school kid to hang them on the doors for you.
4) Spare time? Ring the doorbell and introduce yourself. You can also offer observations from your 'curbside inspection' of the home.

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by gromicko

I don't know. Roughly 1/2 of all sales last month involved a home that was in foreclosure and the bulk of the buyers were NOT investors... they were people who were moving into these homes. This means that they are each selling a home. Which means that the are included in these leads. Yes it might not be the exact right time... it might be early. But early is where you want to be for direct mailing these leads.

95% of the vacant homes I've inspected in the last 3 months have been for first time home buyers. Only one where the buyer was selling too.

[Brian Long]

I received a sample postcard from a member today and have a few generic comments to pass on to this group: The card I received had three grammatical errors. Also, it did not have a special 'call to action' compelling the homeowner to respond.

Here are a few things you must do on your marketing materials:

1) Make sure your materials are grammatically correct.
2) Use a prominent call to action. Give the homeowner a compelling reason to call you instead of taking a referral from their Realtor. Your offer must include the words 'Free', '% Off', or '$ Off'. Remember, each new client is also a source of future work and future referrals. A strong offer to new clients is critical for your success.
3) Make sure your name and phone number are prominently positioned and displayed on your materials.

[Brian Long]

Mark, what marketing channels are working for you?

[Paul Pendley]

Same here Mark.....I was actually suprised yesterday when the realtor told me the home was a re-sale not a REO property.

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by blong

Mark, what marketing channels are working for you?

Teaching classes to realtors.

Doing a great job for my clients so they rave about me to their realtor.

[Brian Long]

It makes sense to also find other marketing channels so that you do not rely solely on Realtors for business. Of course, Realtor referrals are great, but everybody should have multiple marketing channels.

I am curious to hear what non-Realtor marketing channels work for other members. Suggestions anybody?

[Nick Gromicko]

This is a non-REALTOR marketing channel.

[Ralph Smith]

I sent in my order, Thanks Nick.