Obtaining the type/quantity of land we would like to settle on at this point in our lives is not really feasible (i.e. several thousand acre cattle ranch).

And, in case it needs to be restated, the reason I am not just mailing to my zip AND a different market: tiny budget.Oh, and I suppose I should mention, so I've talked with about 20 people, a few were tire kickers, just curious, etc.  

This is a great follow up read to my thread found here for anyone looking to get into this business:  http://beta.biggerpockets.com/forums/93/topics/583...One other factor I would want to add and include here is building a quality (not quantity) buyers list.

Of course, quality over quantity - but no one said we couldn't get both - and a lot of it!

Congrats on taking action - i will reiterate what has already been said here: yes this is normal/part of the game, and keep sending more mailers (bigger quantities if possible)

Yes, i know my list is tiny.

The first one was the quantity I needed was low and the second was the price.  

I think it is more beneficial to those who have some money to work the plan versus no down payments or tiny down payments based on luck of finding certain types of deals.

As the campaign progresses, you see the call quantity drops off. . . but the call quality goes up - you are either hitting these people at the time they are about to become motivated sellers OR they have held on to your (repeat) mailings and they are now deciding they want to enter a negotiation.  

I feel pretty good about the tax deed I bought, considering that the owner paid a very tiny sum for the property, has not financed it, has never paid taxes on it, and does not live there.