All Forum Posts by: Todd Heitner

Hi Jason,

I can give you a free template / theme for an investor website for WordPress if you like.  Send me a private message and I'll send you a link to get it.  It includes all the content too to get you started.  I'd suggest customizing it to your needs.  It's mainly for Motivated Sellers, but you can easily add on other pages.

Todd

Are you looking for properties?  Like motivated sellers?

One idea is to offer a free report about how to sell your house fast - something your prospects would be interested in.  Give them something for free.  Of course, they'll need to give you their contact information to get it.  You'll give them valuable information that helps them out, and of course you can explain the benefits of working with you.

We just completely redesigned the websites we offer for real estate investors.  You can get the brand new design and look super professional.

Check out the new design and features here.

It includes landing pages for 10 different types of leads (motivated sellers, cash buyers, rent-to-own buyers, bird dogs, etc.), plus a main company site.

I'd like to hear what you think.

I'm giving away a free website template for real estate investors.

It includes a WordPress theme designed for investors, all the content, and the forms.

There is no cost.

http://donedealwebsite.com/biggerpockets

I have a website service for investors and I just redesigned the sites we offer to customers, so I'm giving away the old template.

Enjoy!

You ask if it's needed.  I'd say it's not "needed" since many people don't do it and do deals, but it's the little extra things like that which can really make you stand out and make people remember and like you.  So I think you're on the right track.  Personally, I think food is a good way to go.  If someone showed up at my house with cookies or fresh bread, I'd be happy and would be glad to talk to you.  What have you found to be the results so far?  Have you found it to help?

Another possibility is to have some sort of promotional materials made that has your business name, phone number and website on it.  But I would say not to go with something generic and over-done like pens.  There are some websites that sell promotional items and there are some really creative things.  I'd say to go with something that would have a "wow" factor, maybe something the seller hasn't seen before, or something really nice that they can use.  One benefit of going with something like that is that if you give them something they can use, every time they use it they see your contact information, so you're more likely to be the person they'll contact when they're ready.  

If you go that route, I'd suggest getting a small quantity made first, or see if you can get a sample.  I once ordered a bunch of these things that I thought were really cool.  It was a USB-powered coffee cup warmer.  You plug it in to your computer's USB port and it heats up a surface where you set your coffee mug to keep your coffee warm.  In theory, it sounded great.  But after trying one out, I realized a major problem.  Yes, the thing gets warm.  But coffee cups always have a little lip at the bottom so the actual bottom of the cup that's in contact with the coffee doesn't touch the warmer.  I couldn't find a single coffee cup that would get warmed by the thing.  So I had a whole box of these things I had spent $300 on and they were useless.  So that's why I say to do a small batch or get one to test.

But I think what you're doing is great.  The promotional items are nice in one way, but they do sort of feel like advertising whereas bringing them baked goods feels more like something a friend would do, and creates more of a human connection.  So I think you're on the right track.  What you could do is start off with the baked goods, but if you leave and don't know if the person is going to be on board with working with you, give them a promotional item that has your contact info on it.

I was curious why you're removing the trees.  Is it just cosmetic, or is there a risk of the roots damaging the foundation or sidewalk, etc.?  Trees can be nice and provide some shade, which can help with cooling the house.  I think they do sort of block the view of the house.  I was wondering how it would be if you removed just one.  Or, as mentioned, if you just trimmed them back some.

I think if you could do something about the cracks in the concrete stairs, that would make a difference.  As you're looking at the house, it's the closest thing to you.  For me, it really caught my eye.  They have a look of disrepair, which doesn't make a good first impression.

Here's an idea for the wooden stairs, paint the front-facing boards white to match the white trim, but paint the top boards a dark wood color.  I think that could look really nice.  I'm not sure if my description makes sense, but in case it doesn't here's an image of what I'm describing:

I think you could get a similar effect.  I think an added perk is that it creates some contrast, which might actually help you not to trip.

I don't think white trim looks bad with the green.  But personally, I'm not a big fan of the green color because to me it looks kind of dated.  Maybe painting the whole house is a bigger project than you want to tackle right now.

I wonder how hard it would be to add some sort of decorative porch light.

Just a few ideas...

Nice work!  It definitely looks better.

I'd say if you already have a tenant and have that much cash flow, it sounds like you did pretty well!

I agree that the only things that make it look a little dated are the cabinets and light fixtures.

Before tearing out the cabinets and replacing them, I'd consider just painting them an accent color (not white, that would be too much).  If they're varnished you might need to sand them so the paint will stick.  I'm just throwing that out there, I haven't seen them in person.  But lots of kitchens have painted cabinets and it might look a little less dated than the wood.

I'd say as you approach a year with this tenant, if you're happy with her, offer to do a few little "updates".  If you decide to paint the cabinets, involve her in the decision about the color.  Even if she's not complaining about anything, if she's a good tenant this might keep her happy with her home.

I'm just curious, were you planning to rent out the upstairs or downstairs?  I would guess most of the restrictions would be primarily for an area you're going to rent.  If you were to live in the basement yourself and rent out the upstairs, I would think you'd have less hassle.  Not sure if that's an option, and I'm not recommending it because I'm not sure of the legality, etc.  But just throwing ideas out there.

I was wondering the same thing as Percy, about whether you staged it yourself.  The staging and photography were great.

Nice work, and congrats on a great payday!

Haha, great stuff.  This is an entertaining thread.  It reminds me of that show "World's Dumbest Criminals".  I think you guys have enough material for "World's Dumbest Tenants".