BiggerPockets

Anyone out there who has results of testing different phrases on bandit signs? I placed 23 signs out with the phrase
we buy houses
we take over payments
ph#
website
and only got 2 leads. I talked to a guy today and he said
his signs read
Avoid Foreclosure
Short sales work

So what are you guys using that is working?

We use the standard We Buy Houses sign with a local number that goes straight to voicemail. The voicemail then tells them a little about what we do, we also tell them that we are investors and we expect to make a profit so we need to buy at a discount or pretty sweet terms. Those that are interested leave a message those that want full price all cash...Don't. This weeds out the leads without having to pay for expensive "live operators".

NOTE: Sellers appreiciate when your upfront with them. Don't try to hide the fact that your in this to make money, but don't be rude about it either.

In my opinion putting a URL on a bandit sign is a BAD idea so I don't do it. The bandit sign gives them one way of contacting us, this makes it better to track the actual results of the bandit signs.

Personally I think bandit signs are a good cheap way to get the phone to start ringing. But remember, 1 is the most dangerous number in marketing, so make sure you have other "fishing poles" in the water.

Hope that helps.

Bandit signs work.. I've gotten results in high traffic areas. I got more results in working class neighborhoods.

Jonathan so you're saying you've tested handwritten vs. pre-printed?

I've heard that others have had success even w/ buying with the signs. I'm beginning to think that some areas they work better on than others.

What are you using them for, finding rent to own tenants?

Depends on your city ordinances. They are illegal in my city.

for those that have tried bandit signs do you put them out yourself or pay someone to do it?

Jeff,

I have tested both and handwritten works hands down. I am going to kick off more WE BUY HOUSE message again. They do work but I got to get the numbers out.

I can put 10 Rent to own signs and my phone blows up.

Jeff,

I use to think a lot about the wording of my signs. Then I came to the realization that it mattered very little.

I mean, look at the variations of working you are asking about in this post. Out of the four you just posted, none are really that much different than the others are they?

Anyone reading any one of those signs is going to get the same message. Either they are in the market for a rent-to-own house, or they aren't. Including $$$ or a vanity 800 number probably won't change that.

I think the biggest thing affecting your return rate is probably your placement.

If you really wanted to try something a little different than get a little more specific with your signs. I've noticed that people don't like calling signs that look like they were put up by investors. They do, however, like calling on signs that look like they are put up by 'someone who just needs to rent their house'.

For instance, when I hold an open house for a property I'm selling and I use the coroplast signs and hand write one them, I get some pretty good results. One time I ran out of blank signs and had to cover them with posterboard paper and tape them and write on those and it looked horrible. For some reason though, I got twice as much people that day. I've done it that way ever since. I think people view that as someone that isn't making enough money on RE to buy fancy signs and maybe not someone who does this all the time.

If you really want calls for rent to own, I would hand write on your sign.

"House For Rent - Possible Rent to Own 555-5555"

That way people think it's an actual house, not some program you are selling them. And 'possible' makes them think, "huh, do I have what it takes to rent-to-own this house? looks like not everyone will be able to."

Just my 2.

Jason,

Thanks for the tips, that makes a lot of sense.

I wouldn't completely discount sales copy though, especially in direct/internet marketing.

I guess I'll try out different things to see what pulls the best response.

Jason,
You're in a prime position to make a lot of money if you have lots of rent to own buyers lined up. That is one of the hardest things to do in this market. You could probably find a way of capitalizing on that immediately. Just make a deal to have investors pay you a fee if your buyer moves in to their house. I'm going to be using a company in my area that does that and they charge $1,000 out of the tenant buyer option fee.