Marketing for Real Estate

Ohhhh. that’s easy! I do!  And who am I?

My name is Tracy Caywood (in case you’ve never met me). I’m an experienced real estate investor in Jacksonville Florida. I’ve bought and sold nearly 300 houses since 1999. My husband and I are partners, and work closely together in our business.  I also own the website www.YellowLettersComplete.com and provide real estate marketing services to real estate investors and Realtors all over the United States and Canada.

Now, let me explain a few things. When I first started in this business, I hadn’t heard of yellow letters. If I had, my beginning days as a real estate investor would’ve been much easier.  Do you know what I had to do instead?  Dan and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning printing postcards on 4 x 6 index cards, and then mailing them out.  We used the”unsafe structure” list that we got from our local code enforcement office.  Did it work? Absolutely.  Do we still do that?  Absolutely not. But back then, we had no idea which direction to take. All we knew is that we had to generate leads to do deals.  So we did whatever we had to do for the least amount of money.

These days, things are much easier for the newbie real estate investor. There is one simple technique that you can apply (without having to stay up all night), that will generate motivated seller leads and have you well on your way to doing deals. Can u guess what it is?  Yep! The yellow letter.

I’ve been using the yellow letter in my business now for about 4 years. Of course, it’s not the only media that we use to attract seller leads. I also implement bandit signs, postcards, and  a website. But it is the most head slapping simple way to get alot of leads coming in at once. In fact, I’m about to mail out 500 yellow letters on Monday that are addressed to Pre NOD Leads.  This campaign is targeting short sales.  I’m going to create a new blog entry for this campaign to keep you filled in on the progress, so keep watch for that.

I guess I never answered the question of “what type of person” does yellow letter marketing, did I? Well, the answer (other than the obvious) is………a person that wants to quit dreaming about making it happen and just make it happen.

We Love Canadaians at Yellow Letters Complete.com, and we’re one of the only (if not the ONLY )provider of yellow letter services to real estate professionals in Canada. If you are a aspiring young real estate investor or Real Estate Agent who is looking to dominate your locate market, then you’re in the right place.

Letters are only $.99 if you are in Canada!  Read the Details about yellow letters in Canada right here.

Yellow Letters get a 5 to 10% reponse rate  – that’s higher than any other type of marketing that’s available to you anywhere! Don’t miss this opportunity to generate the MOST motivated seller leads.

It doesn’t matter how much I talk to you guys on the phone telling you how great Pre NOD Leads are for your business, there’s nothing quite like hearing it from the horse’s mouth.  Listen to this voice mail that I got from one of my Florida customers on July 30, 2009.   Once you hear this message, I’m sure you’ll understand why you should be calling me every 3 weeks to get YOUR list of Pre NOD leads.

Listen to Voice Mail Left By Actual Customer

Then go the Pre NOD order page and get your order in for Pre NOD Leads!!

I ran an ad in one of the smaller newspaper publications. It started running on April 19, 2009 and ran for 30 days. Overall, the ad resulted in 78 phone calls. Out of those 78 phone calls, I was able to collect information from 38 of these buyers regarding their contact info (including email address), their monthly payment budget, how much they have for a down payment, and what they’re looking for in a house.

The prospects are driven to a phone number where a live person answers (between 9 am and 5 pm), or a recorded message (after hours) telling them to leave me their name, phone # and email address.

Once they do this, I add them to my buyers database and begin marketing to them, sending them to my website so they can check out the homes that I have for sale.

Below is a screenshot of my actual email inbox, showing you only a list of the people that have left messages after hours. (Click on the image to see it larger).

This ad really did the trick!! I have 38 more people to sell my houses to, and it only cost me about $2.00 per lead. I think I’ll run that ad again………

Here’s what my ad said:

“OWNER FINANCING

THREE NICE HOMES TO CHOOSE FROM

24 HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE

(904) 555-5555 ”

Of course, the ad has my real phone number for buyers.  I chose a smaller publication newspaper to keep my marketing cost low.  I I had run this same ad in the Florida Times Union, it would have cost me nearly $500 for a month. Instead, I only paid about $80.  Not too shabby…… Now I gotta go…Ive got to get to work on selling some of these houses I have for sale!!

Dear Newbies,

I know the TV and the Newspapers have got you thinking that this is the worst real estate market that you’ll ever see. if you don’t quit watching that crap, you’re going to self combust. There are too many people doing deals right now in today’s market, including myself, and you can do the same thing!! You have to know how to market for these properties, and more specifically, you have to know how to price and sell them quickly.

Fear can overcome your entire being when it comes time to make a decision about getting started in real estate. Coaching can be expensive, and some of these coaches can even make you feel left out in the cold. They’re too busy to take the time with you that you need, and you may never get a deal done. I’m not calling any names out, because there are some really great coaches out there, but some may just want your credit card number.

I’m ready to help some newbies out!! I’m ready to be the one who can help you make it happen. Here’s the deal:

For a LIMITED number of people(5) , I will be your real estate coach/mentor. I will help you get through the hardest part (your first deal), and see to it that you make a big check. Once you get through the first one, the rest will be a piece of cake. I’ll be there to help you overcome your fear and make sure you’re doing and saying all of the right things to your sellers, Realtors, buyers, etc.

I know I will get a huge response from people who want to get on board with me today, so please, please understand that I can’t take everyone under my wing. I am a pretty busy lady, and have a full planner page. I’m going to squeeze my calendar and make time for you!! I want you to do a deal, so I’m going to see to it that it happens for you.

Here’s the scoop on the partnership:

1. You must have some training under your belt and know the technical part of doing a deal. You don’t have to know everything, but some basic knowledge about how creative real estate works is certainly a must.
2. You must be willing to pay for at least 1,000 yellow letters and a mailing list. That is your investment into this deal to show me that you are serious about becoming a real estate investor and being in business for yourself.
3. You need to be open to suggestion and follow the advice that I give you when it comes to deal analysis, making offers, and selling the property. You will also do all of the talking to the seller (of course I’ll tell you what to say and how to say it). If it gets to a point where you need for me to step in, I will, but I want you to get used to doing it on your own (or you’ll always be afraid to do it).
4. We will split the profit on the deal 50/50 at closing (we will sign a partnership agreement for one time transaction agreeing to this).
5. You will provide me with a recorded/video testimonial once the deal closes explaining how I was able to help you and how much money you made on the deal.
6. You will pay me a one time fee in advance of $1,000.00 (that’s it) for my time.  It doesn’t matter how much time it takes me to get you through your first deal, that’s how much of my time you’re buying.  My time is valuable, it’s just not Free………

MAKE SURE YOU READ AND AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS BEFORE FILLING OUT THIS FORM!!

Here’s what I’ll contribute:

1. My time and knowledge making sure you know how to pre-screen sellers, how to select the deals that make sense, what to do with the deals that don’t, etc.
2. Walking you through the entire process of getting a deal under contract all the way to closing. This will include marketing, taking calls, making appointments, your presentation, negotiating, signing paperwork, marketing to sell, finding buyer, and closing on the transaction. If it’s a short sale, I’ll help you with that, as well.
3. Being your motivation and your “security blanket” until you get through the deal.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you’re going to need to reply in a quick like fashion. I really only have the time to commit for 5 people. That’s it. So if you’re interested, don’t procrastinate!! Fill out the form below and I will be in touch with you shortly. Remember, I’m only taking 5 students, so don’t be upset if I don’t choose you.

I’m a firm believer that you should constantly be testing new products and new ideas and essentially, implementing those that are working the best into your business.  Well, check out this video! You’re not going to believe your eyes or ears when you find out what’s been going on behind the scenes with ME!  I’ve been testing a new marketing piece that’s going to make you flip your lid!!!  Play the Video Podcast to Find out MORE!!!!

Are you struggling with your bank account, but still determined to get started in the real estate business?  I totally understand where you’re coming from!  It’s not easy trying to juggle around all of the expenses that are associated with starting in the real estate business.  After all, you have education and training, travel, hotels, business cards, websites, marketing campaigns, and now answering services.  Gheez….You’d think this is a real business or something. (Who’da thunk it?)

Well, this one is for the aspiring young investors out there who need an inexpensive way to get their calls from sellers answered.  Good luck!!!!

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Sample Craigslist Ad:

I need someone to answer and pre-screen my calls. These calls are coming in as a result of direct marketing efforts to owners of real estate that are in unique situations (foreclosure,divorce, bankruptcy, probate, etc).

Your job will be to answer the call, and ask them a series of questions that will be provided to you by me.  I will pay you $1.00 per call for each pre-screening form that you turn in to me (that is completed) , and $.50 for each call /message that is turned in (or partially complete).

This can be done from your home, but I do need someone who can take calls on the “fly” – and maintain a professional sound to the caller (no TV, dogs, or other noises in the background).  I will forward my own number to you so that you can take the calls.  I will pay you once per week on Fridays – either via PayPal or check (your choice).

Reply to my ad if interested. I will call you to do a a phone interview and a “test run”.

As you may already know, Than Merrill (Star of A & E’s Flip That House) launched Wholesaling University a couple of weeks ago.  It’s so exciting and dynamic, that I even signed up as a student of the University (and I’ve been wholesaling for 10 years).   But there’s something that’s even cooler than that.  Than Merrill PERSONALLY recommends that you use www.YellowLettersComplete.com to get all of your yellow letter direct mail done.  If you are a wholesaling University Student, be sure to check this out for yourself. Here’s How to Find it:

Login to Wholesaling U >  Go to Bonus Marketing Jumpstart > Listen to 1.7 Week 7 Pre-Foreclosure Direct Mail

In this video  (around the 38 minute mark of the video) Than Merrill tells you to use www.YellowLettersComplete.com for all of your pre-foreclosure direct mail needs.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT??

Discover how to talk to sellers of real estate, and find out how to discover the Motivation Trigger Words that always indicate motivation. Save a great amount of time and money by listening to this podcast and using the tips and techniques that are outlined in this podcast!

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I’ve been designated as a Professor within Than Merrill’s Wholesaling University (which will be released in only a few days!!). I can teach any class that I choose, as long as it pertains to wholesaling/creative real estate. I want to know what YOU want to learn about, and what will make your business more successful.

Using the form below OR BY LEAVING A COMMENT ON THIS PAGE, enter a specific idea for a class. It has to be on a specific topic, and can’t be general. For example, “short sales” is too general, but “how to negotiate with the loss mitigation departments” is more specific. I’m open for any topic, so let your ideas rip!

You can submit more than one idea, that is perfectly fine with me. I will decide on which one I’ll be teaching and you can look for the announcement within the next week.

Thanks for your input – as always – it is greatly appreciated!