Direct mail for real estate investors: a simple plan
Direct mail to the owner's address of record is the most common and least regulated way to reach motivated sellers. Pick a narrow list, send a short honest letter, mail the same owners several times, and track replies per hundred letters. Fix the list before you fix the letter.
Start with the list
The list matters more than the letter. A tax delinquent owner who lives out of state and has held the house for 15 years is a better target than a random owner. Start with 200 to 500 well-chosen owners.
The letter
- Say who you are and that you buy houses.
- Write to one person. Keep it under 150 words.
- Offer a simple next step: a phone number and a web form.
- Do not use fake urgency or pretend to be a lender or the government.
Frequency
Most replies come after the second or third mailing. Plan three to five touches, spaced a few weeks apart.
Track
Record the list, the date, the cost and the replies. Divide replies by letters to compare lists. Repeat what works.
Rules
Be truthful. Some states regulate mail to homeowners in foreclosure. Honor requests to stop. Mail is not covered by the Do Not Call rules, but calls and texts you add later are.
Official sources and further reading
- 15 U.S.C. 7701 (CAN-SPAM Act)
- 47 U.S.C. 227 (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)
- National Do Not Call Registry
- USPS ZIP Code lookup
Outside sites are run by their owners. General information, not legal or financial advice.
Questions
How many letters should I send?
Start with a few hundred and measure replies.
Do handwritten letters work better?
Often they get more attention, but they cost more. Test against printed letters.
What is a good response rate?
It depends on the list and the market. Compare lists with each other instead of chasing a number.
Where do I get free letter templates?
LeadCounty has a free library of seller letters.
How we make these guides
Written by the LeadCounty editorial and data team from official county, court and state sources and our own weekly counts. We name the office behind every number, say what we cannot see, and fix mistakes when you tell us. See our editorial standards and methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice. Refreshed weekly.
Find the owners behind these records.
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