Attempting land flipping

[James Theron Erwin III]

I just listened to episode 39 of the podcast a few days ago and land flipping seems like a niche that would work well for me in my area and help me build more cash for other deals. I have a couple questions for starting out... First, is it better to set up a business phone number first through something like grasshopper or will it be fine for my first few attempts to use my own personal number? Second, Seth Williams mentioned using 2 different websites (1 for buying, and 1 for selling land). Is this necessary for just starting out or are the websites more for higher volume land flipping? Last, are there any links to a good form letter to send to the delinquent tax owners and how exactly are the offers made? Over the phone, through email? I remember Seth saying he had someone tear up his offer and mailing it back to him. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated! James III

[Seth Williams]

Hi @James Theron Erwin III

Thanks for checking out the podcast! Those are all good questions.

Personally, I wouldn't want to give out my personal number to a bunch of strangers...  so I would work on setting up a separate business number pretty early on. It's not the end of the world if you don't, but it's not a bad idea to keep some separation between your business and personal phone activity. At the very least, you might want to set up a free number with Google Voice for this.

Regarding the websites - no, these aren't and absolute necessity from Day 1 (I even know people who have been doing this for years, and they STILL don't have a website). So while it's not a "must", they can still be extremely helpful on a number of levels (saving you tons of time, giving yourself better credibility, making yourself "available" 24/7, weaving some other helpful technologies into your business, etc). But to answer your question...   you can certainly survive without it (i.e. - I wouldn't stall the process of getting started just because you don't have a website yet).

And yes, I've got some examples of postcards I can send you, and I can point you in the right direction on the offer-making process too. I'll send you a PM with some more direction on this.

[Chris Seveney]

@Seth Williams

 I was reading this post and if you would also send me some information that would be helpful as I have flipped one parcel of land I acquired off of a tax sale and now looking to do several others. If I could see what you send for postcards I would be grateful

thanks

[James Theron Erwin III]

Wow! Thank you Seth Williams!!! That was very helpful. Silly question, do I need to be a plus or pro member to be able to receive PMs through BP?

[James Theron Erwin III]

Okay, I jumped the gun on my PM question... I have mainly been using the mobile app and don't see the message center. I logged in on my computer and found it right away

[Seth Williams]

Hi @Chris Seveney - you bet. 

I just sent you the same message I sent James. Hope it helps!

[Will Hollingsworth]

Episode #39 was indeed an awesome podcast!

Anyway that you can send those examples to me? @Seth Williams

[Jay M.]

@James Theron Erwin III To answer your initial questions:

1. No I would not give out my personal phone number.  Registering for a service such as grasshopper also allows you to look more professional by having a 1-800 number and allows you filter angry calls by taking messages instead of answering the calls in real time.

2. No you do not need to have either a buying or a selling web site. They are primarily to improve your image but you also need a way to draw traffic to your site. They can, however, streamline the buying and selling process by allowing buyers/sellers to enter information/payments directly on your site.

3. If you are getting angry calls or torn up letters sent back to you then your offer amounts are probably in the right ballpark. If you are offering low purchase amounts that will allow you to maximize your potential profits but may also generate some irate calls - which is why you may want a phone answering service and PO Box for your land investing activities.

Hope this helps.

[Christopher Newton]

@Seth Williams.  I realize this thread is ancient but I am attempting to put together my first mailer for vacant lands and was wondering if you might be willing to share some of your postcard templates you mentioned above?  Thank you so much and no worries if can't.  Thanks for all the great content on BP!

[Seth Williams]

Hi @Christopher Newton - sure thing! I can't post any links here, so feel free to send me a PM and I'll send you some information on what I've got.

[Adam Weisenburger]

@Seth Williams - I've just started looking into this strategy and I love the potential of it. Wondering if I could get a peek at some of those templates as well.

Thanks.