Michael T. 0 Report post Posted March 4, 2004 Hello; I'm not sure if this belongs in this forum but here goes. Does anyone have Ideas as to the best way to begin marketing. I'm more concerned about the wording on business cards, flyers etc. I don't want to come off as a scandalas investor. I've seen signs like "stop foreclosure today" but when you call, you get concerned about the person taking you for a ride on the deal. I want to come across as a sincere investor and not a vulture, hence i'm concerned about verbage. What has worked for you, what words to avoid, what to include, how to present yourself. If anyone has ideas or templates for business cards and flyers, that would be wonderful. Thankyou - Michael T. (CA) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael T. 0 Report post Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) My bad, I should have posted this under Marketing. all is forgiven, MT. You've been moved to the Marketing Forum.... Edited March 4, 2004 by MichaelC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam King (MI) 1 Report post Posted March 4, 2004 Michael, Does anyone have Ideas as to the best way to begin marketing. I'm more concerned about the wording on business cards, flyers etc. I don't want to come off as a scandalous investor I think I'll get off easy here by telling you to read Option 8's posts. She is a bulldog with her marketing and I think we have all learned a great deal from her. Have fun and don't stay up too late! Second, I don't think anyone wants to come off as a "scandalous" investor, but this boils down to the most important thing in the world. MAKE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD TO HOLD IF YOU NEED TO! Advertising "we buy houses" means just that. Most people don't know how to do it, or what it entails, but they ALL want one thing. To sell their properties and not have to look back! I want to come across as a sincere investor and not a vulture, hence i'm concerned about verbage. This is the part where they say not to re-create the wheel. I tried everything, but found that all of my hard work was only to come to the conclusion of what I stated above. They want you to buy their house! That's it.... What has worked for you, what words to avoid, what to include, how to present yourself. I simply present myself as a well connected "someone who can help". I am very sincere when I don't know something and it has never cost me a deal to this day. If anyone has ideas or templates for business cards and flyers, that would be wonderful. I'm sure Michael's course has most of this stuff in it. And it must be working otherwise you wouldn't be here...right? Regards,Adam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Saint 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2004 I agree with what Adam said, it all boils down to meeting peoples need....getting their house sold. When I started out, I was of the same school of thought...come across as a more serious investor/businessman and stay away from the catchy hook lines that you see everywhere. I would opt more for things like "real estate specialist" or "real estate solutions". However, when it came down to it, people would look at my stuff and not really know what it was I could do for them. "We buy houses" is starting to saturate the market, however, there's not much to be confused about either. I think the key in marketing is to tell your prospectives EXACTLY what you can do for them and how it will benefit them the most. 'Get out from under that house payment' says a whole lot more than just presenting yourself as a professional. Frankly, I'm learning this lesson right now with my expired listing campaign. My original postcards and flyers were real 'professional' and sleek looking...but no calls. I'm thinking I need something a little bit more eye catching...like $$$$$. Hope that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkerton 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2004 Friends, Here's my two cents on what I think is a very important issue. I'm concerned about verbage too. Assuming your bread and butter strategy is lease purchase, is it ethical (I know...an attorney worried about ethics ) to market "buying" when we are primarily seeking to "control" property? I don't want to make too big a deal of this, but I think that the general public is skeptical of business in general and misleading advertising (if this is) adds to the skepticism...as well as increase the chances that CRE will come under legal regulation by authorities such as state Attorneys General. Not to sound like Chicken Little, but we don't want to kill the Goose that lays the Golden Egg. Thoughts? Mike P. The Legal Eagle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Tony- 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2004 pinkerton, What is to say you lock in a good price now for 48 month get 4 t/b that don't buy and you see you now have 50-80k in equity. So, knowing how much you all ready made off this house, you buy it and l/p it a couple more times before it sells. I know of people that go buy conventionally and l/p the house. They tired of being a landlord and got smart. The average I have heard for t/b buying is 20-35% (except Adam). Is this bad? No. It just is a fact of the biz. I use I BUY HOUSES sign, well if I get the house discounted I will buy them. Now you got me started I was going to post this as a thread but: I have been working with a wantabe investor he has three houses worth 75k, 75-80k and 80-85k. He is moving and opening a business, to do this he needs them off his credit report due to not raising rents in 2-4yrs. He owes 29k, 39k and 55k, he wanted 6k over pay off on each. I told him I could finance the lower 2 (with the 6k) and l/p the other for mtg pay off. well My partner and I have been working on it, well I get a frantic call and he said "what will it take for you to buy all 3? I have to get them off my credit report" (chaching). So he has become very motivated and we may just get these for even less. owe yeah we even found a local mtg co. that works with investors and she is creative. (Andrew was very honest with us about some flat charges that would have to be added because of unfore seen circumstances. This would increase the cc % [because they are so cheap]) Anyway what I am trying to get across is that l/p have so many different ways to work. Why not incorporated it into a buy and hold hands off rental. Or, look at Adam, most hear didn't realize the power of the CA until he and Pete to name a few brought this to our attention (re-inforced). I just looked at the pay day with a sandwitch, when I realized that I need something to buy the groceries to make the sandwitch. I in fact will talk to a guy that called me about a rental he has, I think I will try to go for a CA pick up 3k and get him 20k more than he was asking plus about $125 more than he was making before and give the t/b some equity. there I go again rambling.... PS just got back from a bandit run 40 signs and still have about 50-60 out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelC 160 Report post Posted March 6, 2004 I'm concerned about verbage too. Assuming your bread and butter strategy is lease purchase, is it ethical (I know...an attorney worried about ethics ) to market "buying" when we are primarily seeking to "control" property?Mike, I suppose it comes down to the specific language your marketing uses. For example, stating that you will buy and close in seven days and then trying to switch strategies when you visit that elderly widow is one thing.Advertising something along the lines of "Will buy/lease your property", or "Real estate problems solved fast" are of a more general nature, and I don't see any ethical issues with these at all. Then again, I'm Italian, Mrs. C. is Colombian, so what part does ethics play in my daily doings :ph34r: ?Tony, excellent post. Thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Tony- 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2004 Tony, excellent post. Thanks for sharing.Thanks you do okay too. pinkerton,You could also state when they call you, after they tell you their situation and you offer a l/p and they say "I thought you bought houses". Your responce, well this is what fits your situation the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GerryGA 0 Report post Posted March 9, 2004 Why not make 2 offers. One a L/P the other one a cash offer at 65% of FMV. or a Subject to. Let them decide what works for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Saint 0 Report post Posted March 9, 2004 Why not make 2 offers. One a L/P the other one a cash offer at 65% of FMV. or a Subject to. Let them decide what works for them. That's pretty smart...as long as you don't insult them and end up losing the deal because of it. However, the cash offer might put a little bit more motivational fire under their seat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
