All Forum Posts by: Chrissy Parsons

@Samuel D White You ask about free lists. This isn't necessarily simply a case of "you get what you pay for" - its more a matter of "you keep on paying so much more". A good list is the least expensive part of your mail campaign, but it can save you an enormous amount of money. By focusing a list, you can cut way back on who you mail to and save on postage and printing.

San Diego is very competitive for real estate. You will need to get creative to search out off-market deals that haven't already been approached by dozen's of investors.

Work with a list broker for recommendations and be sure to get a list that has been run through the National Change of Address (NCOA). 

@pratik p. 

You have misunderstood the nuance. You are selling something - you are selling a home purchase.

The only 3 exemptions are survey companies, political and non-profit.

As a mailing list broker, I was selling a lot of lists with phone numbers until the new law went into place. I did a lot of studying and received training from my vendors who had teams of lawyers doing the interpretation. 

Under certain circumstances I can get all available phone numbers, but it is based on the scrutiny of the intention and acceptance of the script presented.

@Jacob Hanson If you want to be legal for ALL TELEMARKETING:

1. Register as a telemarketer on the federal website https://telemarketing.donotcall.gov/
2. then scrub your list against the people who have registered for the do-not-call (DNC)
3. you can't call a cell phone, regardless of whether or not it is registered with the DNC. It will cost the recipient money if they don't have unlimited minutes.

You will end up with a very small number, as about 90% of the population have said that they don't want calls (are you one of them?)

Conventional wisdom and best practices for ALL MARKETING is that you don't say (or write) anything that indicates the list you are using. 

• You can start with "I'm hoping to buy a house in your neighborhood - have you thought about selling? 
• But  anything like "I can help solve your problems buy buying your house," is strictly off limits. It indicates that you know that they are in pre-foreclosure.

Chances are you won't be prosecuted if you call people on the do-not-call, lord knows they don't go after the big guys based on the number I get. I agree with you @Margie Fuller - phone calls are time consuming and unwelcome by the recipients. There's a reason we all signed up for do-not-call

You are right about Surveys, political calls and non-profits being exempt, but that is a slippery one. 

@Alex Price and @Ryan Dossey, Depending on the property you are selling, you might consider First Time Buyer Lists. 

Renters age 24-50, appropriate income for your sale price, 2+ year residence at current address and High Financial Stability Score (FSS)

I ran a report for Chippewa County, WI. There are a fair number of properties where they don't  report complete information. However, there are 567 absentee owners with property in the county. Eliminate property known to be purchased after 6/2008, eliminate known low equity, home value less that $100,000.

@Sean OToole and @Allison Leung  List brokers have access to other sites where you can specify the purchase date but also include property where the date isn't available. In effect you are "eliminating property known to be purchased " outside your limit.

The most important thing to keep in mind is NEVER say anything that indicates that you know that you know that they are in financial trouble. That is the fastest way to get the person on defensive.

consider working with a list broker. They can offer suggestions to get a list of motivated sellers that will be good for your area.

@Ryan Blake and @Ronald Rohde Consider working with a list broker to suggest some alternative lists. One that is underutilized is Homeowners with Low Financial Stability Scores (FSS). You can combine the scores with other segments such as Seniors with 15+ Year Ownership. 

Consider working with a list broker who can make suggestions - as well as competitive pricing. There are alternative compilers to ListSource additional demographics that can be added.

Always be sure to ask if you will be getting the NCOA certificate with your list. This certifies that the company building your list has run the file through the Post Office's National Change of Address.

You can write letters yourself  tailored to the audience you have chosen, but NEVER make statements that indicate personal knowledge about the person. For example, if your list is based on homeowners with low Financial Stability Scores (FSS) - don't say "I can solve your financial problems by buying your house". Instead, try something along the lines of "The financial responsibilities of homeownership can be overwhelming".

Postage is going to be your most expensive part of the campaign. Research your cost for postcards vs letters.