Sample FSBO Email

The email looks great, however if you can contact them in person or by phone you have a much better chance of making a favorable impression with the seller. So, hopefully they will call after receiving your email. I use email or mailers as the final option to make the first contact with a homeowner. If they like you and trust you they will work with you over someone that sends them an email. Does this make sense? Afterwards, communication through email is fine but you will most likely have a more personal relationship with the seller by then and TALK to them.
I talk to sellers all the time and they tell me they get dozens of multi colored letters, dozens of emails saying the same basic thing yours does and doorknockers that start off with I BUY HOUSES pitch. There are a lot of investors that read and try the same old stuff in other words. Person to person, face to face works way better if you know what to say. Does this make sense?

Michael Mangham
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

Yes this makes sense and I have all of Matt Larson's one liners written down in my notes. I will keep studying them. Thanks Mike!

Mike is correct in his assessment. You are competing with tons of other investors, including other DGers in your area, and you need to set yourself apart. Perhaps during your first exposure to the homeowner during a face to face, you could leave them a brochure that talks about yourself and your process. A no pressure professional meeting with will put them at ease and allow you to close more deals. Do follow ups and be prepared to do a deal. Backsliding will make the homeowner feel uneasy. We close 90% of our contacts because we make them feel that we are the only game in town. We aren't but use high tech, high touch to close our deals. You can too because I feel you have what it takes to be on top. Not everybody does on this website. You do.

an investor! You buy and sell houses. As soon as you say investor the seller thinks EVIL BLOOD SUCKER! THEY WANT TO STEAL MY HOUSE AND PAY NOTHING! You buy and sell houses and try to make it a win win situation for everyone. You are real estate solution specialist or expert, but not an investor. It's all about the wording.

Great example: In the late 90's fried food was out. So Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC. Same greasy joint, but different wording let the company maintian its reputation as fast and cheap, good tasting chicken. Not fried chicken.

may have a valuable point. Sometimes the word "investor" has been overused in some markets to mean blood sucking SOB. I never refer to myself as an investor. I am either the CFO of my real estate firm or a Principal of my real estate firm. We simply make sure they understand we are not interested in LISTING their home, we are there to ACQUIRE their home.

Your email is great and plus it helps me to write my letter.

I am still trying to figure out many things about REI, and I want to thank you for sharing.

e-bunny (Mary)

Tammy @ Bill.....RIGHT ON!

In my opinion, you don't need to mention phrases like "how bad you need to sell" or go into why they need to sell. Less about you and more about what you can do for the owner. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fred Smith. I buy houses. I can pay all cash, close quickly, and pay all costs. I can buy your house as is for a fair price without you needing to make repairs. Please call if you would like to discuss the options available to you for your particular situation." Just my opinion, I may be wrong.

At the end of your email you are basically telling the owner that you don't want to talk to them unless they are in a hurry to sell, and if they are desperate and they haven't got a reasonable offer to call you. In my opinion it makes you look like a bottom feeder....no need to go into it or their motivation. Focus on what you can do for the owner.

all for the great responses! I will take the advice and run with it!

FSBO SAMPLE EMAIL v2.0

Hello, my name is Lane McCaw, I am a real estate solutions specialist here in the Quad City area. I buy and sell houses. I can pay all cash, close quickly, and pay all costs. I can buy your house as is, for a fair price, without you needing to make repairs. Also, if you are looking for a new home I may be able to help you there too. I have many options available for buying and selling homes other than the traditional ways. Please call if you would like to discuss the options available to you for your particular situation. ###-###-####

That's much better Lane. Short, sweet and to the point.

I can hear the money rolling in now! hahahaha
I am in a good mood today!

think the revised 2nd represents much better!

Are you emailing homeowners? I'd recommend calling, sending a letter or even a (cheaper yet) post card. Here's all you need to put in it... You want to (Keep It Simple) get to the point, but keep it somewhat personal. Homeowners receive tons of letters similar to yours (speaking from experience) and just throw them away like junk mail. The ones that stood out were the ones that looked more personal, hand written, like this:
Dear Homeowner,
My name is (Name here). I am interested in purchasing your house on (address here).
I will buy it as is, no repairs needed, you can even remain in the home if you wish. I can pay cash, close quickly and help you get on with your life.

If you'd like to discuss this further please call me at your earliest convenience, my number is (your number here).

Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you.

(Sign here)

Hope this helps, keep us posted!

Emailing can be great, but how are you going to find the email address of the people you want to target? If you are calling them to find it out, why not just talk to them and try to set an appointment?

fsbo website called qcfsbo.com where every owner lists their property, phone number and email address. I have already had a few e-mail me back.

you are doing a selective email to FSBOs that are listed with a service. I thought you were just targeting any FSBO you could find. Makes sense to me now.

I will be putting out bandit signs and flyers for the other FSBO's that are not listed.

Thanks so much for sharing all that great info. I like the specialist idea also.
Have a great week.

Your second email example looks better than the first, however I agree that calling mkes a better first impression than sending out an email. If people respond to your emails then keep doing it since that is how the would like to communicate.

Mark