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Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Hank, calculate your marketing budget. It's usually better to send a minimum of 300 at a time, and if you can, send to same addresses every 3 months. Test your farming areas. You could try 100 at a time once a month. You can also alternate. if you get a listing, send 300 Just Listed. When it sells send 300 Just Solds.

Jan 13, 2015 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
457,437
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

I still use a Market Update mailer to my farm. Last year I sold two homes from it and the year before I sold 4. Seeing I mail it only 4 times a year, it is a pretty great return. Matter of fact, the last seller pulled out the mailer and showed it to me. They had kept it for months! (I like ExpressCopy)

Jan 13, 2015 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If mailers and door hanger are appearing at your home, the answer will be "Yes, they do work in your area."  If they did not work, they would not be appearing on your stoop.

Good copy and graphics is the key to success. Be aware, that old yellow pad note, as ugly as it is, has proven to be exceptional graphics and if the copy is relevant, you can expereince success (if you understand how your consumer makes decisons)

I have found door hangers extremely successful when a door knock did not get a response. Door hanger should be printed in 'sharpie' font(blue) so when you enter the name or house number on the hanger it appears as though you personally wrote the whole message...right on the stoop!

Again, understand how your consumer makes decision, help them with the process, and when you have been validated (you can track this) they will contact you.

This is scalable to macro farming environments.

Jan 13, 2015 01:51 AM
Rainmaker
457,437
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Just sent it to you :)   (LET ME KNOW IF YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE AS I HAD A BOUNCE BACK)

As I mentioned in the email, I send 500 to one neighborhood I farm about every 3 months. It is a Real Estate Market Update where I put 8 homes that have sold in the last 180 days. (Some people put Active, Pending, and Sold...however if it isn't sold then here in our MLS it is considered advertising another agents listing if you do that, so I stick to sold)

I also send another mailer from time to time to a smaller neighborhood with about 90 homes as I sold 4 houses there over the last 2 years and got 99.5% on average to list price. This made for a nice mailer and wasn't that expensive since it was only 90 homes.

I have a list for a high end apartment complex and I MIGHT mail to them if I can get a lender to go in with me as it is A LOT of names.

Good luck!

Jan 13, 2015 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
666,639
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

I use direct mail in my farm areas and for Just Listed/Just Sold cards, but not door hangars.  The post cards absolutely work, but it can't be a one & done approach.  Work a smaller area if you need to, but send out consistently, at least 6 times a year on top of Just Listed/Solds.

Jan 13, 2015 02:39 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No to door hangers. Yes to mailings.

Jan 13, 2015 01:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Investigate the postal service "every door delivery"  Very cost effective

Jan 14, 2015 02:32 AM
Rainer
216,475
Bob Publicover
Publicover Realty Group, inc - Stuart, FL
Thinking outside the box

I've used mailers for years and have had excellent results. The sad thing is the price of postage has almost made it prohibitive on a regular basis. I had to cut back from mailing every 2 weeks to a "farm area" and focus on my just closed announcements or quarterly market updates.

Regarding door hangers............Great for a cardio workout. Never had any business generated from that.

Jan 13, 2015 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
457,437
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Just did a mailer an hour ago using Express Copy. You get 20% off your first order. If I email you the link I also get a discount, so let me know if you are game. Fast, easy.

Jan 13, 2015 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Follow the blogs of Barbara Todaro for great advice on this kind of marketing.

Jan 13, 2015 02:41 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

I do direct mail but not door hangers. Door hangers would involve a special delivery service vs using the post office so I'm not ready to investigate that yet.

I received pretty good feedback from my first few mailings and will keep going with that for now.

Jan 13, 2015 02:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Hank,

In our opinion, marketing like real estate knowledge is LOCAL.  What works in Napa is billboards at the entrance to Napa and on the wine roads.  That would not work in Santa Barbara where we now live...

Jan 13, 2015 01:16 AM
Rainer
148,989
James Brockway
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

Amanda and Jared, can you elaborate on the code that is on the card you send out?  Can you tell me the name of the mailer company that provides this?  I love the concept.

Jan 26, 2015 02:15 AM
Rainer
116,668
Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

Keep in front of your farm with a little of both.    Remeber to always lead with revenue and as your budget expands, expand your advertising bases.  Use multiple types to get the most coverage.

Jan 14, 2015 12:36 AM
Rainmaker
713,369
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

I think the trick is to do it differently if you're going to do it at all. You have to find a way to stand out from whomever else is doing direct mail to your farm. There is a general look and feel to most of what's sent out. Figure out how to get the attention of your audience. If this is not your area of expertise, hire someone to create your marketing pieces. And I too use Express copy.

Jan 14, 2015 12:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

We just started doing very targeted mailings to 5 subdivisions.  Each postcard is specific and has a code they can enter into our website to see their home's value.  The beauty of it is that we can see who has logged in and how frequently they're logging in.  Then we hit them with another mailer, phone call, or even visit them.  We'll see how it goes.  

Jan 14, 2015 12:09 AM
Rainer
293,277
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

its best to ask for business 10 times from 100 people rather than asking for business 1 time from 1000 people. 

I have seen so many agents waste money on this without a long term plan to build your list of possible suspects into prospects.

Jan 13, 2015 11:47 PM
Rainmaker
409,203
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

You have to send/deliver something of use and value or it is a waste of money.  I can't believe some agents still mail out cookie recipies hoping I would think that implies they are a great Realtor.

Jan 13, 2015 11:35 PM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent please email me.. hdugie@brockwayrealty.com and a question for Jeff Pearl as well - how many do you send at a time? A single neighborhood? 500 houses? The whole city?

Jan 13, 2015 07:58 AM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Thank you for all the feedback. Any good online mailer or door hanger companies? Gabe Sanders Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent Marla Yost Roy Kelley 

Jan 13, 2015 07:50 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't like door hangers, and I think most people find them annoying.  Though well though out mailers can be very effective.

Jan 13, 2015 07:05 AM
Rainer
215,585
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

We use direct mail for farm area and we always send out just listed and just sold cards.

During sport season we mail out schedules to our past clients and farm area

Jan 13, 2015 04:09 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Hank Dugie never tried! In fact I know direct mail works, I have just used couple of services to do the mailers - never mailed it myself!

Jan 13, 2015 01:26 AM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

No.

May 24, 2018 11:01 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

I do not use them.

Jan 14, 2018 08:46 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Every few years I will send out a batch of postcards.

Nov 08, 2017 10:58 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Yes and yes

May 07, 2017 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I do use mailers and do get results and hope to improve those results by better targeting.

Sep 25, 2016 12:10 PM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

James Brockway see above, express copy seems like the overall favorite

Jan 22, 2015 03:42 AM
Rainmaker
74,732
Adell Forbes (REALTOR®)
eXp Realty - Atlanta, GA
"Knowledge & Experience Working for You"

I think the key is relevance, consistency & selecting a subdivision that is not over saturated with other Agents.

Jan 15, 2015 12:52 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Hank, thanks for starting this thread. I'm always looking for additional ideas or feedback on various marketing techniques.

Jan 14, 2015 08:23 AM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

I'm doing mortgage ones- three different types:

1. I buy holiday cards after holiday or at hallmark stores going under for holidays that are less religious in nature- then have a teenager with good handwriting address them all to my farm and past clients, I intersperse with a spring cleaning flyer, and one with my children at Christmas

2. Walk the paper route and knock on doors with a Realtor buddy. I hand out something of financial news or information while Realtor works from their own perspective. Get great results from combination of leaving something paper and some neighbors have us come in and chat

 

3. Used to do shotgun mailers from farm lists, even with either slick professional cards or artistic ones mostly get complainer calls. Shotgun doesn't make the phone ring unless you have mailed them each 6 times. At 48 cents per the walking  door to door is better bang for buck

Jan 14, 2015 06:45 AM
Rainer
557,375
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

This is an excellent resource of invaluable information on this subject, so it simply depends on what strategy you should use and your budget to make it work. Best of the best to your success.

Jan 14, 2015 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Direct mail fails often simply because the agent doesn't invest in a the area long enough.  Folks will often save post card mailers until they need an agent.  That may be months or years.

Direct mail works if done correctly.

Talk to Barbara Todero.  She's a very successful direct mail user.

Jan 14, 2015 02:31 AM
Rainmaker
539,468
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

My front door has a sign stating: No Trespassing, No Soliciting, No Flyers.  I still have morons that leave door hangers.  I have a motion sensor security camera in the window that takes a video of the moron. 

Door hangers are a great way to tell burglars which houses are not occupied.  If I am on vacation, and my house is broken into because you left a door hanger, and ignored my sign, you will be held liable.  Send a post card. 

Jan 14, 2015 01:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,141,082
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

We send out thousands of pieces of mailing every month which we split the cost of with whatever agents are interested in doing so and the leads are then given out in rotation to the participating agents.  We find it one of the best ways to get listing leads.

Jan 14, 2015 12:43 AM
Rainer
55,296
Tabitha Rector-Richardson
Premier Homes Realty - Owings Mills, MD
Premier Homes Realty (443) 415-4215

I've never done door hangers but I do send out mailers.  I chose a community based on the age and turnover rate.  I also send mailers to pre-foreclosure's and expireds.  I've gotten call backs and listings from my mailers.  The key is to be consistent and track your results.

Jan 13, 2015 11:34 PM
Rainer
672,772
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Hank,

Only start, if you can keep it up for the long run. Things usually pay off after some time & consistency.

Jan 13, 2015 11:31 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I've been mailing regularly to a specific community for quite a while (~two years) but haven't had results yet. In another community I'm trying delivering information to doors but haven't had any positive luck with that yet either although that's a new initiative. Sounds like there are some good ideas above.

Jan 13, 2015 10:44 PM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Sounds like a plan, thank you Jeff Pearl 

Jan 13, 2015 01:42 PM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Thank you Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent I will let you know how it goes!

Jan 13, 2015 08:12 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I've been using Express Copy.

Jan 13, 2015 07:56 AM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

same question to you Richard Robibero, ABR, SRS Annette Lawrence Jeff Pearl Praful Thakkar Ron & Alexandra Seigel 

Jan 13, 2015 07:52 AM