Good morning Joanne Brown:  I personally do some mailings to renters from time to time.  I try to do 2-3 times a year.  I just buy lists and then send out letters with my business cards and a magnet for them to put on their fridge so they have someone to call for a mortgage when they decide it is time to buy a house on their own.  I then might get the call first so then I have a referral for a local realtor.  I have never sent post cards..  Just letters with  my biz card or biz card magnet.

thanks Nima, I guess I'm more in panic mode, than creative mode (ot write letters), and know I have to get going.  If I write only one letter now, and then 3 more during the years time, I don't think I will generate much business from it.

Would you share a letter?  My email address is jojobrown@optonline.net

thank you

Hi Joanne, I happen to believe this is a great time to work with buyers. Since the market has turned, I think the odds are in the favor of buyers and making offers for teriffic deals. Are you marketing yourself as a buyers agents or are you taking buyers as customers. I happen to believe if you market yourself as a buyers agent, you will find yourself making more offers for your clients and not worrying about the sellers.

Joanne ~ I used to use a piece the Title Company supplied me.  It was a card illustrating how much money the renter was wasting by renting and not buying.  As I recall it had the various rents listed with corresponding savings.  It was a fairly powerful piece.

Finding a company to do effective marketing to a  niche like this is probably not realistic.  If I were you, I would alternate marketing pieces between something like the benefits of home ownership and specific homes for sale.  If you don't have them listed, borrow listings to market. 

Breaking down the terms (as per RegZ requirements of course) is important.  Most renters/first times don't understand the home buying process.  They DO understand what it will cost them per month.

Speak to them in the language they understand.  Developing a program like this shouldn't be to difficult. You don't have to vary the information, because in the saying "when the student is ready the teacher will appear," so is it the same with buyers. 

Buyers will be looking for you when they are ready.  They will "tune" into your postcards after possibly seeing several before the really SEE IT. 

As for listings that don't sell, we all have those.  We need to focus on getting the listings price right for the market, then they will sell.

good luck,

kk

Joanne:

I mail to renters about three times a year. I use a post card and have a local mail service handle it for me. The post card is less expensive and you hcan do a couple of them. I have tried a free report with limited success. I target about 4 complexes and have gotten a couple of buyers out of it.

I have done it alone and a cpouple of times have partnered with a Realotr to share the cost. LIke any direct mail piece it has a low response rate.

I don't know if this helps but it is what I have done. You may want to include the address of your site or blog for them to start to contact you. If you partner with a loan officer you will be able to cultivate future borrowers who may need to repair their credit or save money first.

Hey Joanne - Really have no advice about renters but Broker Bryan did a great blog about FSBO The power of the rain. ActiveRain that is!  with Brett Mumaw FSBO Help Kit .  They have some great FSBO tips. There is also this one - very creative - The Killer FSBO Letter It is not listed in their blogs but you could also add an Open House Checklist. (Maybe prepared by a fantastic local home stager).  Let me know if you want a copy.