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The Signs Say -WE BUY HOMES!

By
Real Estate Agent with Liberty Homes RS-#62825

 

I know there's a lot of these "We buy houses" signs all over the nation...but right here on Oahu? 

We went out yesterday and within 10 minutes of each other there were signs for "WE BUY HOUSES".

One was right in our residential area and the other one right on the highway.

 

 

Now, we are always instructed to not place our Open House signs on the highways (and this is just for a couple of hours) so why do these guys get to have theirs up 24/7?

These advertising bits are all over the internet and on streets. .....Boasting "We Buy Houses For Cash!  Avoid Foreclosure! Buy a Foreclosure Home! Sell Your House Today!"

Is it that easy?

Posted by

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

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Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

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Comments (108)

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Dianne: Wow...wish we had sign police like that! Good for your community!

Jim: They need to be cited here too.

DeAnna: I don't think our sign enforcement people get around enough. Maybe our association can do something about it.

Aug 25, 2008 06:43 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Sally...Believe or not,  we have here too, usually nailed to telephone poles, and yes they seem to be up for a long timer. The same with FSBO signs, they seem to be able to display anysize or anywhere without local bylaw officers chasing them, I put up two directional sign in James Bay with two listing I had there in the Spring, the city of Victoria removed them in a few hours!

Thanks for Sharing, I hope we're giving these people high internet ranking with our blog.

Cheers

Aug 25, 2008 07:27 AM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert

Sally, I have seen them many times headed down Kunia to Ewa by Gentry. 

Aug 25, 2008 07:49 AM
Barrie Clulow
My Time Is My Own - Uxbridge, ON

Sally - These signs are one of the first things they teach you to use in the no money down get rich quick courses.

Aug 25, 2008 08:02 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Sally, we've got lots of these signs posted all around our area, especially in certain neighborhoods with higher foreclosure rates.  They come and go, but I think the only ones making money are the sign companies!

Aug 25, 2008 08:13 AM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

No.... it isn't that easy. They go thru a hundred leads before they find a sucker.

Instead of ripping these bandit signs down, the police need to collect them and start issuing fines.

Aug 25, 2008 08:24 AM
Retired Notworking
Tallahassee, FL

I think otherwise smart people are taken in when they are in a distressed situation. On my first short sale, the seller twice alerted me to someone who had contacted him by mail, offering to buy his property. What he didn't know was that they typically pay .50 on the dollar.

Aug 25, 2008 09:38 AM
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

I have always been curious as to how many calls these people get off the signs. And you are right, why do they (whoever) get to place them...everywhere?

Here in Sparks we are not allowed to post anywhere except on private property, but when election time comes around, the candidates are exempt and they get to put them just about anywhere. Go figure.

Aug 25, 2008 10:07 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Fred: Well, hopefully the ones who are thinking about calling will think twice on what WE can do for them.

Latonia: I'm seeing more and more of them now. How are you?

Aug 25, 2008 11:09 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

It's not that easy to get them to buy them.  They are looking for that steal of a home.  To take advantage of somebody.

Aug 25, 2008 02:04 PM
Ruthman Real Estate
Accessibility & The Power to Advise - Fairfield, CT

I wouldn't park under those signs if you know what  I mean...

Aug 25, 2008 02:32 PM
Adrian Alvarado
MGR Real Estate Inc. - Ontario, CA
Inland Empire Real Estate

Its called Guerilla marketing and is very cheap and creates a whole lot of exposure in extremely high traffic areas.  They are placed at stop light intersections where there is usually a high traffic count. Freeway exits are extremely popular because of the thousands of car that pass thru them daily. You cant get that much exposure taking out an ad in the local home magazine. Spend a $100 on some cheap signs can get your contact info out to 10 maybe 15 thousand people not a bad investment and definetly a great return on your money. Not a bad way of prospecting but will eventually fade out and the Real Estate Basics never fade out. I dont necessarily think people are preying on people because most who are in danger of foreclosure are upside down on their homes and just looking for a way out wether it be a loan modification. forebearance, or short sale. The signs work and thats why you seen so many of them now. The city will usually pull them down within a couple days to a week. They are put up so frequently that it just seems that they are always there. I know some cities code enforcement will actually call numbers on the sign and demand that they be removed and hand out citations. This usually happens in higher class neighborhoods.

Aug 25, 2008 03:52 PM
Mike Russell
Mike Russell Real Estate Group - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Kansas Real Estate

playing to the masses, the signs are cheap and they only need one person to make it pay off.

Aug 25, 2008 04:28 PM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

I hate those signs!!!!  They never follow the rules with the sign guidelines!

Aug 25, 2008 04:40 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Barrie: Are you serious? How do you know lol!

Brian: No kidding...signs signs...everywhere a sign...lol!

Tom: Something isn't right... is it?

Colleen: Sure...it may be okay to do so...but at what cost? One thing is for certain...can they all sleep well at night?

 

Aug 25, 2008 04:41 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Terrie: Harumph....not good for one...but another it's okay. Oh, well...that's why we're professionals :)

Russ; I tend to agree :)

That was cute Ruthman Homes!

Adrian: You're right about that...we will never fade out :)

Michael: I think that it's like advertising in the newspaper...not enough to make a good living.

Courtney: Okay...

Aug 25, 2008 04:50 PM
Anonymous
Lamar

This is simple advertising. Why do people worry about these signs? Just keep driving. Especially if it doesn't pertain to you. Alot of people say they hate these signs until they see something they like and then they don't complain any more.

Get over it. The signs aren't hurting anyone. Especially if the person putting them up has a good intent.

Where the hell do you find these laws anyway? I'd love to see this in writing! Can someone post a link or something?

We are at war people and the economy is going down hill. Who cares about the signs, lets start doing something about this country!

Again, please show me the law that says putting up signs is illegal. I'd seriously like to look at it.

Aug 29, 2008 09:27 AM
#107
Michael Johnson
Carolina One Real Estate - Goose Creek, SC
Metro Charleston SC

I can't tell you how many times I have had to explain to my sellers that they don't want to sell their house to anyone that advertises, "We buy homes."   They will buy your home alright....for about half of what you owe or want to get.  Those signs drive me crazy. 

Aug 29, 2008 10:05 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Lamar: In my community we have an association and there are many communities around me that are part of associations. We have covenants and restrictions as well as rules....so we keep our community looking nice! Without all these signs all over the place.

Michael: I agree...they're only preying on people and trying to make them think they're better off giving it away.... or scamming the elderly to sign away their homes.

Aug 29, 2008 04:47 PM
Anonymous
CJ

Some of the people who use these signs may be up to no good.  However, it is really an incredible way to advertise.  Many of the people who use them are investors.  I've been thinking of purchasing several hundred of them and using them in my community.  I am in no way out to take advantage of people.  I am good hearted individual.  My goal and purpose in my business is to help people in need and get themselves turned around; win-win situation.  For example: I'm seeking people in foreclosure, my signs say "AVOID FORECLOSURE."  I'm not out to offer top dollar for property, but I am willing to offer a substantial amount of money to people who would otherwise receive NOTHING for their property.  On top of that, I also assist with financial-counseling and helping get the family/person back on their feet.

To think that all the people who use bandit signs is incorrect.  I've admitted that not all are as ethical and honest as myself, but there are bad apples in all vocations.  If you ever are in need, call them up.  See what it is for yourself and when you do, use your best judgement.  Until then, I think it's wrong for anyone to judge the people behind the signs.

May 05, 2009 04:36 PM
#110