Real Estate Investor · Puyallup, WA · Member since 2014 · 9 posts · 2 votes
Hi Everyone
I'm new to RE investing. I like the idea of bird dogs. Curious to get some insight on successful ways to find good bird dogs, and then what pay structure you have found to work well?
1) The traditional way where they drive around and look for houses, take pictures, etc. I created a web based software so they can enter the property information and upload pictures. I can also update the statuses of the deals (color coded) so they can see what's going on. This keeps them involved because they know when a deal is going to close and they are getting paid.
2) The new type of bird dog is even better because we just pay to place an advertisement on their back windshield ... WE USE AN ANALYTIC TRACKING NUMBER THAT IS ASSIGNED TO THEM. These calls get recorded and bird dogs can pull monthly reports. This tracking is what keeps them involved. We capture them through the squeeze page that is built into the software by advertising on Craigslist, or sending direct mail to service type companies like lawn maintenance, pest control, mobile computer repair, etc. We also mail to divorce and probate attorneys. We pay them 10% of net profit and can pay them through Paypal using the software but I prefer to meet them at Starbucks and record a video giving them a check. We take that video and put it on the squeeze page for social proof. Then we get their friends family and neighbors who want to place the ads on the rear winshield of their vehicle! We found that the rear get 2-3 times the calls that ads on the side of the vehicle get. We pay the sign company $75 per vehicle and the tracking number costs $1 per month and .02 per minute. We use those tracking numbers on all of our direct mail campaigns too. I hope these ideas help anyone looking to set up an army of bird dogs. THESE LEADS HAVE VERY LITTLE COMPETITION! Plus, unlike other types af advertising, this is a one-time cost and the ads keep getting seen for a long time.
Take out an ad on craigslist under "Gigs." If you post under "jobs" you will have to pay for the ad. You are just looking for people to make extra money.
Pay your bird dogs per lead (I pay $10 each). The reason for this is if you only pay per deal, they will be unsure if they ever will get paid because their payday depends on your performance. If you think you can get away with just paying per deal, you are telling the world that you cant afford to do this business or are just cheap.
I had one guy at my REIA state "That is stupid! What if a guy brings in 100 leads all at once?" To which I replied, "Then I gladly give him $1000. Because i know there are 3-5 deals in that batch! And frankly if somebody drops 100 qualified leads in your lap and you can close just one deal and make a minimum of $5000 from it, you suck at this business!" (It shut him up but I was getting dirty looks for a number of months.)
That being said you need to be VERY clear as to what you are looking for and where you want them looking. I have written a training manual for my bird dogs ( I call them property scouts) that covers what Im looking for, how to find it and how to market for it. ( i have three that are doing their own marketing campaigns) This way there is a clear path on what is expected from both parties. You get 5-10 active scouts looking for deals for you and you will have more quality leads than you know what to do with.
Take out an ad on craigslist under "Gigs." If you post under "jobs" you will have to pay for the ad. You are just looking for people to make extra money.
Pay your bird dogs per lead (I pay $10 each). The reason for this is if you only pay per deal, they will be unsure if they ever will get paid because their payday depends on your performance. If you think you can get away with just paying per deal, you are telling the world that you cant afford to do this business or are just cheap.
I had one guy at my REIA state "That is stupid! What if a guy brings in 100 leads all at once?" To which I replied, "Then I gladly give him $1000. Because i know there are 3-5 deals in that batch! And frankly if somebody drops 100 qualified leads in your lap and you can close just one deal and make a minimum of $5000 from it, you suck at this business!" (It shut him up but I was getting dirty looks for a number of months.)
That being said you need to be VERY clear as to what you are looking for and where you want them looking. I have written a training manual for my bird dogs ( I call them property scouts) that covers what Im looking for, how to find it and how to market for it. ( i have three that are doing their own marketing campaigns) This way there is a clear path on what is expected from both parties. You get 5-10 active scouts looking for deals for you and you will have more quality leads than you know what to do with.
Hello! I'm Gavin, I'm new to real-estate and I was wondering if you're open or know any investors open to working with newbie bird-dogs?
Mailman may find a deal but wholesalers market and look all the time and they usually charge their fee and $500 is t enough for them but go to your local reia
Wholesaler Here. Wouldn't you other wholesalers all offer to pay bird dogs 50% on any wholesale deal they bring you?
Wouldn't that increase the number of bird dogs that would want to work with you over someone else who is just paying just 500 or 1,000 per deal? A free deal is a free deal, 50% of something is better than nothing.
Hi , I am very excited to start bird dogging for the right kind of investors. I want to use the experience to learn and earn while I'm learning. I have a terrific portfolio of fresh hand picked properties for the right investors who are looking for hot saleable properties.
@Christopher Moran
Be careful some areas of our town San Antonio, I’m seeing more and more Older people putting up no trespassing aogna now. And saw one this weekend that said trespassers will be Shot. We live In Texas and 100% support his right to do that. And will not be checking his aim anytime soon. But it seems to be a few I. Some area that thing they can hold out. But eventually when they come to and realize that they could actually make some good Moeny. Hope so cause it is growing and happening all around San Antonio and I absolutely love it’s it’s a very exciting time.
@Christine Ketay do you have the property owner? yes it may be possible that you could earn a higher fee based on the property. imho. I would be open to pay more.