Craigslist Marketing...Success?

Question

Hi everyone,

I've been using craigslist to market for motivated sellers, with a simple we buy houses ads. But, I don't seem to get any motivated sellers to call.

I'll usually get other investors/wholesalers and sometimes real estate agents.

I guess its not bad to have other wholesalers/investors call you, because they sometimes do have some good deals...

What do you guys think of this marketing channel?

Its great to ask here because everyone is in a different market...

Joe McCall · Answer

Craigslist works best for selling houses, or building your buyers list.  If you're going to use craigslist to find sellers / deals, you're better off contacting landlords and FSBO's about their house.

If it's a rental, say something like, "Hi, I saw your rental on Craigslist.  You wouldn't have any interest in selling it, would you?"

If it's a FSBO, say, "Hi, I saw your house on craigslist.  Is your price negotiable?"

To contact these people, you can use text (google voice), direct to voice mail (slydial), and / or email (mix it up).

Brandon Lindsay · Answer

I started off using CL for marketing to motivated sellers.  I didn't have much success with it.  Most of the leads/calls were from wholesalers asking me what my buying criteria was.  I switched to direct mail and have had more success.  I do think CL is very effective for building a buyers list.

Steven J. · Answer

I use CL as often as possible posting my ads for "I buy houses." I have an okay call rate from people who are in more rural areas which I'm trying to figure out how to close these. A number of people are not really serious sellers yet so I'll keep them on my contact list.

As for contacting FSBOs and FRBOs I've had very little success with that. Those who 'know' of seller financing don't seem to really understand it and expect terms that don't work for us investors. I'm also finding that most are asking too high to start off with.

Account Closed · Answer

Once you get a motivated seller show the seller you have cash and ready to be closed without a lot of weasel clauses. Most motivated sellers get turn of when you say I like to do subject 2 or put your home under contract, and I will give you 1 dollar for being a good boy or girl.

Joe Gore

James N. · Answer

@Joe McCall

Nice tip on slydial.  I didn't know that app existed.  Nice time saver app.

Creztor Tessel · Answer

Craigslist has definitely changed. A few years ago it was great. Not many people were using it and not many tire kickers. However, given the economy and other things, it has definitely changed. I'd say keep using it but don't put all your eggs in one basket.

John Thedford · Answer

Moshe Dahari I have been using CL for some time. Lately the calls are few and far between and -0- deals. I have not given up on CL though. I have managed to purchase two properties through CL ads. Can't beat the price and you only need one to make it worthwhile. Using CL along with mailers, business cards, beating the bushes, etc should pay off as long as you stick with it. Using several marketing ideas at the same time will help increase your chances of success. Good luck!

Kelly P. · Answer

I have been posting tons of CL ads daily for the past year and have only 1 deal to show for it.  I get more responses from other wholesalers and people wanting to sell me their services.

Yellow letters were not effective for me - low response rate and zero deals.  So far postcards and website have got me most of my deals.

Moshe Dahari · Answer

Thanks for the great responses guys. I agree with everyone mailers definitely got calls.

I sent out 500 yellow letters and got like 16 calls. Mostly everyone that calls back is curious and looking for retail. One person did call and was motivated but I don't know if there were any buyers looking in that area as it got really beat up from Hurricane Sandy. It was one of the towns like breezy point which was destroyed :(

New York is a tough market and different then any other so I hear. I mean I have no way of knowing because I don't know what its like to be in other markets...

Craigslist Marketing...Success?

Most Popular Reply