How should I text message a home owner about buying? Any ideas ?

Question

I found home owners numbers from my town and I want to start sending text messages to see if they are interested in selling.

We are cash buyers and can close in 2 weeks. And should I use my regular number?

Please, any ideas.

Brad L. · Answer

Unsolicited text messages about buying a house in cash just sounds like a scam and anyone receiving that message will likely delete without giving it a thought. Just my opinion.

Allan Smith · Answer

@Brian LideThe marketer in me hates saying this, but when I take the grey area into the ethics arena, I can't help but think that while we are not "selling" something, we are marketing to them and most sellers probably don't love getting a text message.

It's not worth it to me to build a business if the world isn't a better place because of it, and sending out 5,000 texts to a list makes me think I'm doing more annoyance than good. Even though a few of those 5,000 will be glad they got the text because they need to sell!My current working philosophy on mass cold calling / RVMs / text messages / email ethics and FTC Laws:

• Calls / RVMs: Run numbers through the DNC registry, and fire away. 
• Texts: Seems to only be allowable if they opt in first. Can't really cold text people. As others said earlier in this thread, getting a random text from an investor is not likely to get things off on the right foot anyway.
• Emails: The least regulated of the three, as long as your email templates include address, opt out, and other rules, you can fire away.
• Almost all regulations allow any kind of automated communication as long as the seller has reached out to you first or recently.
• Always maintain a posture of being "the guy down the street" flipping houses or whatever. 
• B2B (AKA prospecting buyers): FTC has very limited regulations on this, so my takeaway is to contact them however I wish (let's be honest, 80% of them will be tickled that you want to bring them discounted deals)

Eric C. · Answer

You are breaking TCPA compliance laws by sending an unsolicited text for any marketing purpose.  You can get fined up to $1500 per occurrence so I would not advice doing that.

Matt Berklacy · Answer

you never got your question answered, you need to find a fb group and ask there, specifically group that does marketing for off market real estate deals..

Mary White · Answer

Actually hearing a person's voice allows you to connect with them and build a relationship. I would never respond to a potential renter or buyer via text message. Pick up the phone, be polite, and casually let the owner know what you have to offer them.

Brian Lide · Answer

I really appreciate your input. So far I haven’t gone down the text or RVM or email path for marketing to motivated sellers. I definitely don’t fault anyone engaging in these strategies, but at least for now, I just don’t feel that these are tactics I want to deploy. I’ve been doing a little testing with Facebook ads and intend to give Google AdWords a try as well, to augment direct mail. If anyone has any tips/tricks they’re willing to share on social media marketing or AdWords, I’d love to hear them. Thanks!

Eric C. · Answer

Mass texting that is not permission based, when it is for marketing purposes falls under TCPA and is regulated.  It stems from the fact that the recipient does not have a choice whether to receive the text or not (as opposed to not answering the phone) and can be charged for the incoming text (even though 99% of cell plans now offer unlimited texts).

How should I text message a home owner about buying? Any ideas ?

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