Bandit signs have gained a stigma in lot of marketing and real estate circles as a form of “low class marketing”.  However their cost effectiveness, immediate response rate, and overall call volume when used properly is difficult to argue with.  One of the main challenges you will face is that many cities and townships have ordinances against their use and you can receive large fines for using them.  Do your research before buying and distributing them.I am not recommending that anyone break the law.  Check your local city websites for sign ordinances and also get a map of the city limits.

These tips will save you money by avoiding the normal trial and error process.

1-Use 18 x 24 inch signs only:

This is an area where many people try to save money and it winds up costing them more money through poor results.  Avoid the penny smart and dollar stupid route.  The difference in response rate from the 18 x 24 size and all the others is worth the extra cost.  The best call to sign ratio I’ve seen is 45%.  When used effectively 100 signs should produce about 30 - 45 calls.  Many of these calls will be from other investors but there should be motivated sellers calling if you’re hitting the right areas.

2-Keep it simple

We Buy Houses xxx-xxxx, or house for sale with a directional arrow--that’s it!  I see many signs that have way too much text on them to read while at a stop light.  This is not a good place to put your website or do any kind of branding.  I’ve seen signage of all different sizes and shapes and nothing has outperformed ‘We Buy Houses xxx-xxxx” on an 18 x 24 inch sign.

3-Spread them out

Saturating small areas has a tendency to anger local resident who will pull the signs down even outside city limits.  If the sign is going to produce phone calls it needs to stay up for a reasonable amount of time.  Remember your target market is motivated home sellers not angry residents.

4-Where to place them for best results

Place the signs at stop lights or where the car must come to a complete stop.  Place them on the right hand side of the road at about a right angle.  Forget about stapling them to poles, I’ve seen a far better response from stands.  High traffic areas off major highways work best.

5-Late at night or early in the morning

It’s dangerous and counterproductive to jump in an out of a car on a busy road to plop a sign in the ground.  For best results do this either very late at night or early in the morning.  Saturday morning is good to capture the weekend traffic in busy areas.  Sunday morning is great to put out large amount of sings while the roads are quiet.  It’s also an effective day to drive more slowly so as to become more familiar with different areas.