Marketing for Real Estate Investors
According to Plunkett Research, there were 4.5 million homes sold in the United States in 2009. Although this may be a welcome sign for real estate investors, success in this business depends on the market in which you invest, a keen eye for picking the right investment properties and the ability to market your real estate to draw the maximum number of buyers.
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Websites
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Websites are marketing tools that can help you build credibility as a real estate investor. There are plenty of ways you can use a website to promote your business. First, hire a graphic designer and copywriter to help you create your website. Then, decide on the content you want to include. For example, you can use your website to showcase the properties you are selling; communicate mortgage rates and resources; and present market data for your local area. Work with your website designer to structure your website so it has a clean, concise look and feel. Include plenty of pictures of your investment properties, describe the benefits of each of those properties and make it easy for a customer to contact you.
Newspaper Ads
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You can also market your real estate investment business though newspaper ads. Although this marketing tactic can be costly up front, it can provide a solid return on investment. Newspaper ads provide exposure for your business, whether you are using the ads to buy or sell real estate investments. When developing a newspaper ad for your real estate investment business, make your words count. Since you pay per-word or per-line fees, write in a way that is concise and clear. Use abbreviations such as "1,200 sq ft" and "3 car grg." Also, include a professional photograph of the property if you are selling.
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Direct Mail
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Direct mail is one of the most effective ways to market your real estate investing business, because it is simple, cost-effective and allows you to target a specific group of potential clients. Gather a list of names with the help of a direct mail list management firm. Once you create your list, purchase your envelopes, paper and stamps. Send a variety of direct mailings to your target list, including letters and postcards, to communicate what you are buying or selling. Always convey the benefits to the customers in your copy. For example, if you're an investor looking to purchase a house you identified as having great investment potential, send a note to the owner introducing yourself and saying, "I will buy your house for 10 percent above the market value ... in cash."
Email Marketing
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Email marketing can be a particularly effective strategy for real estate investors who are selling properties. This strategy is fairly simple as well: you just need to gather email addresses from your network of contacts, and send an email blast whenever you have a new property available to sell or rent. Remember, don't send "spam" emails to people you don't know. Always ask permission before sending out an email campaign. It helps to have an "opt-in" area on your website for your email subscriber list. Whenever you send an email, include all relevant and interesting features about your property, such as square footage, proximity to schools, shopping and freeways and recent home improvements.
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References
- Photo Credit new home for sale image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
