BiggerPockets

I want to invest in marketing. Do Bandit Signs bring good results? What have you used that seems to be most effective?

Correct me if I am wrong, but bandit signs are illegal are they not? Has anyone here been fined for their use?

They are illegal in most cities. You need to get an untraceable, but local, phone number (www.gotvmail.com) and use that. In Tampa, the code enforcement works Mon - Thurs. So we put out signs Thurs night, and if you are on a budget, you can go pick them up Sunday evening.

Do bandit signs get good leads? I have a bird dog right now who has access to expired MLS and is a real estate appraiser so is all over my area everyday of the week already.

Hey everybody,
I plan to try this marketing campaign for my REI business. Of course I want the campaign to be as productive as possible.

1.I plan to but up bandit signs

2.mail post cards to as many pre foreclosures as possible (follow with additional mail)

3. cold call as many leads as possible at least once a week for starters. (pre foreclosures, expired listings)

4. try to work in virtual wholesaling

What does anyone think of this plan
Your input is greatly apprecaited

-Earl Gray

So far I've tried, bandit signs, magnetic car signs, leaving business cards out and about, and some craigs list and kajiji stuff. By far, I've had the best luck with bandit signs. With about 40 signs over 2 times putting them out, I probably recieved about 20 calls. Not many calls, but just from a few signs, that's not bad.

Jonathan, or anyone else who uses them:

What are you using for Direct Mail lists? I've seen some online but thought they were a bit pricey.

I don't want to get eaten alive here, but I think bandit signs are investor pollution. It's litter, pure and simple. I don't like those obnoxious "We Buy Ugly Houses" billboards, either, when they are placed directly in the hood. They are entirely disrespectful to the people who live in these neighborhoods. Remember, amidst the poverty, the crack houses and the eyesores, there are plenty of truly good people who do their best within their means who live in these neighborhoods, send their children to schools in these neighborhoods and participate in neighborhood crime prevention and redevelopment organizations.

Absentee Owners
The all important property data services, like RealQuest and Haines Criss-Cross, provide a lot more useful information than just comps. You can find out whether or not an address is owner-occupied, owner contact information, sales history and mortgage information. I used it to compile a mailing list of out-of-state homeowners specific to those zip codes where I like to buy.