Letters To Potential Motivated Sellers
Is it better to hand write letters inquiring about buying their properties (I.E. out of state owners) rather than a typed letter.
I have a big list to write through, lol hand writing them could take a very long time and could cripple my hand for a while after I get through, BUT if hand writing them will give me better results...then thats what I'll do. My other option is type up a standard letter for all the people on my list (I would personalize them all with the potential sellers name and the property I am inquiring about), print them out and sign them.
Which would be a better way to go on that?
Thanks again
JB
[addsig]
Why dont you just print them out and hand address and sign. I dont think it being hand writen would really get you the successs that would warent hadn writing all of them.
Best of luck,
James
Thanks to both of you.
This time I went ahead with typed letters, and printed address labels.
Even that was time consuming, but if I get one deal out of this, it will be worth it.
JB
[addsig]
I used to type each letter out individually (using a Word template, changing the details for each), but now I just send a pre-printed "Need to sell fast? I Buy Houses!" flyer, and I hand address the envelopes. I think a hand addressed envelope is going to attract more attention than a hand written letter; at least it's more likely it will get opened. Nothing guarantees anything you do will get the letter opened, read, and/or responded to. It's all really just tossing mud against the wall, waiting for some to stick.
I do both. I hand-write the letters for the houses that have the most potential - the ones that i really want! and the rest, i use a handwriting font that i found at www.fontgarden.net. I used Ivy Italicized because it looked the closest to my handwriting. It doesn't look like it's handwritten really but it must work because that is the letter that got our last house!
Typed works well (courier font). Handwritten works better. Cost is a consideration, however. For smaller campaigns, I have handwritten a letter, scanned it in, and printed it back out in volume. Then I write the individuals name in the greeting.
For a mailing of 1000+, though, this may not be practical.
No matter what, I agree with everyone who says to handwrite your address or it WILL get chucked.
Jason
I still new at this but wanted to add this idea. I used a "Handwritten" font from FontGarden mentioned above. On plan white paper it still looked "copied". Perfect neat rows.
I then put a sheet of white legal paper in my laser printer and it looked more hand written.
I think that on plain white paper the brain says "No way" can some one writes that straight of rows but you add the blue lines of legal paper and you think what a neat even script.
Blator,
So do you have this scanned into your computer, or is this handwritten font already put on your computer with some kind of software?
Also how close does it match up when using legal paper with lines?
Quote:
On 2004-07-27 18:34, blator wrote:
I still new at this but wanted to add this idea. I used a "Handwritten" font from FontGarden mentioned above. On plan white paper it still looked "copied". Perfect neat rows.
I then put a sheet of white legal paper in my laser printer and it looked more hand written.
I think that on plain white paper the brain says "No way" can some one writes that straight of rows but you add the blue lines of legal paper and you think what a neat even script.
JB,
Although I have only sent out 20 letters in my new RE investing career, I processed my letter with word, replaced the detailed information to each - sellers name and address, signed each personally. I also added a post-it note offering a personalized greeting directly from me in my own hand www.writing.I also left a business card floating inside the folded letter. I hand addressed the sellers name and address but only placed my return address on the front. Makes the seller wonder who is sending such a letter. I also use a very nice stationary, which matches my business card, but send my letters in a completely different colored envelope. Can you guess I am targeting pre-foreclosures? I have had 4 responses and one meeting so far.
Hope this helps,
Debi
Hi there --
Good topic... OnTheWater and Dhambo -- I am a new investor in Rhode Island, and wondered if you could give a hint as to what you write in your letters? And are these letters you are sending to people listed in the paper as up for foreclosure? Or is it to a list of folks you are getting elsewhere. I ask because I've been wondering, since the foreclosure postings are available to everyone, will a letter do when others might be calling / door knocking...
Thanks!
Emily
I use a font from "FontGarden" that is easy to read. I don't care that it does not match my writing which I doubt anybody could read...lol
I just bought a pack of notebook paper which is simpler than tearing out legal pad sheets.
I just use a generic note like we were driving around and saw your house and was wondering if you would consider selling.....
I tried printing with blue ink on a InkJet printer but it did not look as good as a B & W LaserJet printer. I just bought a Samsung Laser printer at www.Buy.com real cheap (like $60 after rebate). Not sure if they have any still at that price.
I have been hand addressing the envelops but if this works out I will switch to a spreadsheet/database to store user info and then mail merger the data into a letter and Laser-print the envelops.
I'm going to try about 100 mailings this way.
I will keep this thread posted on the results. I often wonder if the methods that work best never get posted here because the investors that are most successful don't have time to post.
So if you don't here from me....try this plan....Ha!!
Bill
Great Post!
The key to a successful mailing is to make sure you include the following:
-Tag Line (Tired Of Being A Landlord?)
-A well-written letter that is to the point.
If it is to absentee owners, make sure
you inform them you will take the property with the existing tenants and offer to close quickly
-P.S. - "For your Free Report On How to Sell Your House In 5 Days Or Less" or
"For Your Free Report On How To Stop Foreclosure" visit us online at: www........
When you send a prospect to your website you can accompish the following things:
#1- You build credibility with your prospect forcing them to want to work with you by giving them information to help them with their situation.
#2- You can capture their information automatically by giving away a free report helping them with their situation. This allows you to follow-up with them by telephone or by autoresponder. You can then: pre-screen, present an offer and hopefully purchase their property!
Best Riches,
Jeff Adam
[ Edited by JeffreyAdam on Date 08/04/2004 ]
[ Edited by JeffreyAdam on Date 08/04/2004 ][ Edited by JeffreyAdam on Date 08/04/2004 ]