Expert: Lori Frankfort - 5/28/2009

Question
I HAVE A VACANT PROPERTY CLEANOUT AND CLEANUP BUSINESS IN LAS VEGAS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL....HOW DO YOU PREFER TO BE APPROACHED WHEN BEING SOLICITED ABOUT A BUSINESS SUCH AS OURS...I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PROPER CONTACT WITH AS MUCH IMPACT AS POSSIBLE...CURRENTLY WE ARE MAILING POSTCARDS AND LETTERS AND SCOURING ADS FOR E-MAIL ADDRESSES AND DOING THAT ALSO.
ANY ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.....
P.S.  WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE FORECLOSURES AND THE EVICTIONS VEGAS IS SATURATED WITH.

Answer
Hi Jeanette,

First I will tell you the worst way, which is  telephone call.  We get calls all the time (at least we used to when the market was hot) and it was super annoying.

I think your first and best choice would be an email flyer.  There are companies that solicit exclusively to Realtors, and you can select which areas you want to target specifically.  Those companies keep accurate lists of the email addresses of Realtors in those areas, and they send an html email to them directly.  If you provide me with your email address I can email you some examples from a few different companies.  They charge by the number of emails... the larger the area the more expensive.  They do however, provide you with details on the number of emails opened, and you can also include a link!

The other alternative is a flyer in the Realtor's mailbox at the office.  There are printing companies in each area that will copy your flyer and then deliver it to each mailbox in the specified Broker's offices.  That's not quite as effective because we tend to get a lot of those flyers, but I know for myself if I find a flyer that is something I know I'll need in the future I keep it.  I guess for that reason I would suggest doing both email and flyers!

I'd love to ask you a couple of questions about how you got started... I know it's not a pleasant business but it's a necessary one and I think we could use one in this area.  Any help you'd be willing to offer ME would be greatly appreciated!

Best,
Lori Frankfort
lorifrankfort@aol.com