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Posted about 2 years ago

Make House-Buying Bandit Signs that Steal Attention

Normal 1643121166 House Buying Bandit Signs  Facebook Post

Have you ever been driving down the road and see a yellow and black “we buy houses” sign on the side of the road? Maybe you’re wondering if you should try it in your business.

Love ’em or hate ’em, bandit signs work! That’s why you see them all the time, especially at busy intersections. Many wholesalers still swear that those “We Buy Houses” signs are the #1 way they find motivated sellers.

If you’re going to try direct marketing with bandit signs, here’s a few things to keep in mind to design and deploy amazing bandit signs that steal attention.

The Color

Let’s start with the color: it’s important to get a really great contrast because people are driving down the street at 50 mph so you need something that they can see at first glance. There’s a reason why yellow signs with black lettering are popular. Another good choice is blue signs with white lettering, or white signs with blue lettering. Stick with these great choices if possible, unless they are over-used in your area, then consider experimenting with something else.

The Headline

“We Buy Houses” is the #1 message everyone has seen on wholesalers’ bandit signs… and for good reason. It’s a great, simple phrase. If a few other investors are using it in your area, then you’re probably good to use it too. However, if your area already has many investors blitzing the area with “We Buy Houses” signs, then consider a different phrase.

Whenever “We Buy Houses” is being overworked, you need a different message to stand out from the crowd. “Sell Your House Fast” works well.

The Message

There’s not a lot of room on a bandit sign so keep the message short. (In fact, you don’t even need a message! But if you want one, consider something like:

  • Any condition
  • No repairs needed
  • Cash offer
  • Fast cash
  • Stop foreclosure

Don’t put all these words on the sign; keep it very short.

The Contact Info

If you don’t mind getting calls to your business phone then use that. Even use your cell phone if you’re just starting out. However, remember this: people are driving down the street at speed and they need to remember your number. So, consider using a phone service to buy a memorable number.

Tips & Strategies

  • Suggesting you’re not a big company can be appealing, since some motivated sellers might not want to work with big companies. So, using something like “Kate Buys Houses” or “Bob Buys Houses” can make you seem like the small investor who will meet face-to-face and really go to bat for them.
  • Bandit signs do not need your brand on them. That often looks cluttered and adds unnecessary words. Skip the brand and focus on the message.
  • In some areas, these bandit signs are illegal. (And yes, in some areas, investors put them up anyway because the fines are less than the profit they generate from a house.) However, my recommendation is that you comply with local laws.
  • This is a volume play. Don’t expect to put up one bandit sign and be busy for a year. You’ll probably need many signs. And some will be replacements for when signs go missing.
  • If you’re just starting out and money is tight, you don’t even need to get them professionally printed. Believe it or not, a hand-written sign with a magic marker on yellow coroplast can be very effective – partly because it is handwritten!
  • Drive around your market and put them up, then check on them regularly and replace the missing ones. Disappearing signs are a cost of doing business.

Summary

Bandit signs are effective and the right sign, distributed widely, can help you get motivated sellers. It’s not the right strategy for every investor (it depends on the laws of your area and the motivated sellers you’re looking for) but for many investors it’s a great strategy to use. Print a few hundred and test them in your market!



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