Any luck with ads in local newspapers?

Question

I am looking at ways to market some houses after I'm done flipping them, and was curious if anyone had luck putting an ad in the local newspaper, Coffee News or Greensheets? The area I'm looking at is around Sulphur Springs, Wichita Falls, or Bonham, TX. I'm trying to target investors, but I will also sell to individuals as well. Do you think this would be a good way to advertise in the smaller markets?

Sarah Hale · Answer

@Mindy Jensen, thanks for the information! I will definitely consider this as a way to generate leads :)

Sarah Hale · Answer

@Josh James my partner has several C-neighborhood rental properties that he would like to sell, that's why I was curious if putting an ad in the newspaper would help market in those areas.

Josh James · Answer

Hi Sarah! I am in the WF market, and from my personal experience, the newspaper is not a good source of leads, much less finding investors. I have tried on two separate occasions, both with disappointing results.

May I ask why you want to find an investor for a house you would flip? I may be misunderstanding and correct me if so, but I would think an investor would want the house before you would work on it. Otherwise, if you are selling a finished product, put it on the MLS where the buyer pool is huge!

Mindy Jensen · Answer

Hi @Sarah Hale .

I fall into the dinosaur category of someone who still subscribes to the local paper. I'm not sure the cost of the ads in the classifieds, but there isn't much competition for the space in my local paper.

I don't think this is a great way to advertise properties that are already completed, but could be a great way to find houses to flip.

In general, the people who are subscribing to the newspaper are older and are not as tech savvy. You may be able to pick up a home to flip through the paper if you tailor your ads to the audience.

I know a very successful flipper who lives in a neighborhood that was built in the 60s and still has about 40% original residents. These are people who have lived in the homes basically all their adult lives, and as such, have accumulated "stuff" that is difficult to part with. This flipper has earned a reputation among the children of the original residents (who all went to school together and still talk from time to time) as someone who can solve their parent's house problem, including all the stuff they don't want to deal with.

Advertising that you buy homes as-is, and that the house doesn't need to be cleaned out first may be a marketing point to touch on.