Feedback on Direct Mailing Lists

[Justin Silverio]

Since there hasn't been many leads from the MLS, I'm working on direct mailings. I'm not sure if my farm area is too small (It's a city of approx. 44,500 ppl) but I'm not sure that I want to expand before I get some deals in this area under my belt. I'd like some input on whether my criteria will best target the audience that I'm looking for and if other people have had success if you are pulling similar data. My goal is to locate motivated sellers so I can purchase (without short sale) & rehab. I'm using the MLS to extract the data. Not sure if this is the best source because I can't get their loan information, but it's pretty easy to pull and it's free. Anyway, here's what I'm working with:

List #1
Listing - Expired, Canceled & Temporarily Withdrawn (I've cross-checked to make sure they weren't reactived)
Off Market - Last 5 Months
Other - I narrowed it down using my investment area, min. # of rooms, bedrooms, & living area & price range
Results - 43

List #2
Listing - Absentee (Mid-Long Term)
Last Sale Date - <1/1/2006
Other - I narrowed it down using my investment area, min. # of rooms, bedrooms, & living area & price range
Results - 167

List #3
Listing - Occupied (Long-Term)
Last Sale Date - <1/1/1990
Other - I narrowed it down using my investment area, min. # of rooms, bedrooms, & living area & price range
Results - 1,444