Short sales and foreclosures are big business in the current economy. It is unfortunate that so many people are losing their homes and hitting hard times. If you have real estate investment clients, you can build your own business, serve your clients, and help those families in need, all at the same time.

Anyone facing foreclosure would probably love to have an alternative. If your investment client is willing to buy distressed properties, as is, the owner or even the bank (after the foreclosure has happened) may jump at the opportunity to sell the property. The owner will sell to protect their financial future, the bank will be eager to sell to get the house “off their books” as quickly as they can.

How can you become the “go to” agent for your investment clients?

Determine which properties are in distress. Make a trip to your local court house for a listing of the properties going into foreclosure. You can also search your county’s main website for the information. If you can’t find it, call the county’s main office and ask for assistance. Foreclosures are a matter of public record and they will provide you the information you request, or tell you where to find it.

Review the available properties with your client(s). When they have selected the ones they are interested in buying, you have your mailing list.

Mail Postcards to the owners of those properties offering to buy. Use our online design tool to create a foreclosure postcard campaign to mail to the owner of each property on your foreclosure and short sale list. You can have these postcards printed up in advance and customize them to use “as needed,” so they are not a dated marketing item and will stay viable. Make sure you have the mailing address of the owner, not the inhabitant, of the home. Many foreclosure properties are rental units and the owner would not appreciate you alerting the tenants of his/her financial troubles.

State on the postcard that you have an eager buyer, willing to take the property in “as is” condition. Families in foreclosure and banks with foreclosed properties are not interested in repairing and staging homes for sale; they just want the house sold. They will be happy to entertain your client’s offer(s).

If you are a real estate agent specializing in helping sellers in foreclosure situations, we have Foreclosure Specialist postcards (link to page on this type of card) just for you. Use our templates and easy online design studio to help market your services working with individual owners, the bank and the potential buyer. We are here to help you grow your business in any economic climate!