Driving for dollars - a lot of return mail, any ideas?

[John Hyatt]

I have been driving around my area of expertise in Phoenix, Arizona and have mailed around 20 postcards to the tax mailing address of the owner of the property listed on the Maricopa County Assessors website. About half of them got returned as wrong address. Is this normal? I hear a lot of investors say they get deals driving for dollars. Is there a better way to get in touch with the owner? I usually mail to the houses that look vacant or are in need of repairs. Thank you in advance!!

[Larry Turowski]

@John HyattI haven't done driving for dollars really--well, maybe once--but 20 postcards is a tiny sample.  What ultimately matters is whether you get enough deals to justify your time, effort, and expense.  Work this number up to 200 and see what comes of it.  Also, consider leaving a note at the house.  If you are really brave, you could do like some investors and post a for sale by owner bandit sign with your phone number in the yard.   The idea is the owner will see it and call you.  Most will likely be irate but some will be interested in selling--even some of the irate ones.