When it comes to choosing a perfect direct mail piece for probates, you have a number of choices. Putting together the perfect direct mail pieces for probates doesn't have to be hard.
There are letters and postcards to choose from. You can use white letters, yellow letters, plain postcards and fancy postcards to name a few.
What's my choice? I believe you should always use professional, white computer generated letters. They are professional and they work the best. In my opinion, hands down that is the perfect mail direct piece for probates.
After you've done direct mail marketing for a while, you will find that some direct mail pieces will work better for different niches than others. In most cases you will simply need to test them to see what works best in your area.
I don't think that is true when it comes to probates. So today I have some guidelines you can follow when it comes to probates.
Why are White Letters the Perfect Direct Mail Piece For Probates?
When it comes to probates, I have found over the years that they need a very specific mail piece. They need a professional white letter with a white handwritten envelope. Everything about your mail piece should say “I am a professional. How can I help you with this problem?”
I have my return address printed on the envelope, but I don't have a company name on it. I want sellers to have to open it to see what's inside.
Sellers that are involved in settling the estate often have a lot of emotion surrounding this process. It’s likely that they are still in the middle of grieving. On top of that they will often be getting a lot of mail relating to the estate.
One thing I have learned is that almost all of these folks find it offensive to get a postcard. When they get a postcard from someone that wants to buy the property it is upsetting and they get angry. They feel like this shows a lack of compassion and common courtesy. This is why I believe you should send a letter.
What About Yellow Letters?
Over the years one thing has become clear; they also don’t like getting handwritten yellow letters They fell insulted when they get a direct mail piece that looks like someone scribbled down their message hurriedly on a piece of legal paper that concerns their loved one.
Every communication with the seller should be done with the utmost of care. Being sensitive to their situation will go a long way toward building a working relationship with the seller.
Should I Mention the Estate and Offer My Condolences?
There are 2 different schools of thought when it comes to whether or not to offer your condolences in the first letter you send. I am one of those people that believe you should just go ahead and say you are sorry for their loss.
At some point they will almost certainly ask you how you found out about the house, and you will have to tell them. When they do, you can just simply say that you have access to the public records, and you have been able to help a lot of sellers in their same situation in the past. This is a good time to tell them that you can help them settle the estate more quickly so they can go on with their lives.
What Should Be In My Letter?
As I said, I always offer my condolences in the first letter. It's OK if you would rather not do that. This is a personal choice. However, be advised that you will have to address it at some point. They will want to know how you got their information.
The first probate letter is more of an introduction. In the letters that follow, you will want to inquire how the estate is progressing. You will also want to tell them that you can help them settle the estate more quickly. Be sure to go over the benefits of working with you, and remind them that you are a cash buyer.
You need to have a call to action to close the letter which in this case would be for them to contact you to see how you can help them with disposing of the property in the estate.
You need to be clear on what business you are in. You're not in the house business. You're in the problem solving business that just happens to involve real estate.
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Paul – You have to add new probates every month so you put together a big list. Then you mail to everyone on the list every month. That’s problem #1. You have to mail every month until you buy the house, someone else buys the house or they ask to be taken off your list.
Problem 2 is your mail piece. Don’t send a postcard that someone that has just lost a loved one.
I have a lot of posts here about direct mail and about working with probates. Dive into those. There is a search bar on the homepage where you can put in the topic. You can also get a sample letter from that page. Best of luck.
Hi Sharon, great blog post. I was mailing postcards to probate leads for a couple months and no response. I will try white letters. My question is do you just mail once or do you mail multiple times say 4 weeks in a row. And if so do you or would you use the same letter\mail piece? My thought is that like any mailer many of them initially end up in the trash and multiple mailers will get a better overall response rate?
It’s based on my years of doing probate. First of all, what is your level of experience when it comes to doing actual direct mail campaigns to probates? Tell me about your experience.
What I found was that I got a lot of calls with yellow letters, but I didn’t get a lot of motivated sellers. I don’t really want to be in the phone answering business. So that was one reason. The other reason was that I listened to people complain about getting postcards and yellow letters from investors. They viewed the people sending postcards as being completely insensitive, and the people sending yellow letters as not being professional investors. That’s just my experience. At the end of the day, it each person’s choice Kevin. I can tell you this from many years of actually working in the probate niche, my method works.
Good article. But from the probate advice I’ve seen on the web, you’re the only one who says Yellow Letters are a bad choice. What do you base that on? Is there hard evidence to back it up?
Thanks.
I think either way is fine. If you use your verbiage and also put your company name on it, I think it gives you another layer of credibility when people see you and your wife actually are a professional company. But, that’s just my opinion.
As far as other letters, just change up the first paragraph and keep the rest. You might say, “I’m just checking in to see how you’re coming with settling the estate” or “It’s been a few months since I contacted you …”. That sort of thing.
Hi Sharon,
I just came across your site and love the information. I have done a few probate deals myself and use a similar letter but was always stuck on what to say in a second one since it’s a sensitive time. Also, I see your sample letter is branded while I’ve been using more of the individual approach – “my wife and I buy houses”.
Do you feel the branded way is better?
Thanks,
John
That is so true. The investor that stays in the game always comes out on top. Statistically, over 81% of your deals will come at or beyond the 5th mailing. Most people quit on or before the 3rd mailing.
Hi Sharon,
There is some great info here on probate letters. Regardless of one’s exact approach, the bottom line is that someone who is probate is statistically more apt to sell than someone who isn’t. Furthermore, you never know when they will be ready. Case in point… we just bought a house today in Orlando FL that was inherited over 3 years ago. You never know when the right time will be for them, but being both professional and supportive along the way is the key.
Send me an email and I will send you a sample letter. Sharon.vornholt@gmail.com
Hello:
I was reading this great article about probate, I am going to start doing probates and I’m very concern about what to put in my letter to these people… I want to be super careful with my words.
Could you please share your probate letters template?
Thank you very much in advance.
Janie from Grand Island, Nebraska.
Lori – I am working on a probate course. If you will send me an email I will send you a sample letter and the property information form.
Sharon.vornholt@gmail.com
Hi Sharon,
I’ve read many of your blogs and watched your youtube videos. I’m about 3 months into my “new career” and have focused on probates. Would you mind sharing your probate letter templates? And how do I go about getting a copy of the form you use for call intake?
Thank you for all the information and invaluable knowledge and wisdom you share. I’m keeping an eye out for the probate course as well.
Thanks!!
I hope to have it out in June.
Sent you an email.
Sharon, you’re info is very valuable, thank you for sharing.
You mentioned earlier a course for the probate letters. Where can I find info for the course?
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by Diane.
A list is only good if you can get both the name and address of both the executor and the deceased. Anyone selling you anything without these 2 things is taking names from obits which is completely unacceptable.
You need to go back 4 to 6 months, add each names each month and mail EVERYONE every month. You are wasting your money to do anything else. Send me an email at sharon.vornholt@gmail.com and I will send you a sample letter. I am working on a course which will have all my lettrs.
Hello Sharon,
I am enjoying the probate materials on your site. I am a Realtor in Houston area looking into doing mail out with Probate. I ,too, need a few samples of your letters which are sent in different stages of Probate.
I am working with a reliable list source. Two questions pups in my mind that I like to share with you:
1. how can I figure out who the executor is & the address?
2. This list give me the option of Probates filed in 90 days. Is that about right for a mailing list to have an impact?
want to list the home
Thanks! I’ll send that email over shortly 🙂
That series of letters will be in my upcoming course. However I will send you a sample if you want to email me. Sharon.vornholt@gmail.com
Sharon, this is really great information! I’ve watched and listened to a couple of your videos and audios on probates in how you build a relationship with them through direct mail letters. Do you have examples of the different letters you send every month as you build this relationship? (i.e. letters 1-6 for example) The first letter in connecting and relaying condolences I believe is a wonderful way in initiating communication.
I will send you a sample letter if you email me so I can attach it. Sharon.vornholt@gmail.com
This is great Sharon! Would you happen to have a sample letter for probates and absentee owners?
Which contacts? If you mean the blog, that’s something you have to do personally. Just click on one of the freebie’s and that will add you.
Could you please add me to your contacts ! Thanks. ?
Aletha – I use postcards from yellowletters.com for everything except probates. Send me an email and I will give you a sample letter. sharon.vornholt@gmail.com.
Hi Sharon,
I’m a new real estate investor and just found your blog while searching for information on probates. The information you presented is helpful and I look forward to following your blog. I am really not sure how to craft a probate direct mail campaign. Will you please share some samples of your probate letters, postcards, and other mailers? I’d really appreciate it. Thank you.
Send me an email and I will attach a letter. sharon.vornholt@gmail.com
Good Day
I’m interested in Probate Investing, I’m a Realtor from Brooklyn NYC and i was wondering if you can send me a sample of a probate letter. Over time I can change the format. I will continue to search
I thank you in advance
Template Cassandra?
Would you mind sending me a template? Ive looked everywhere and even tried to come up with my own but they never seem to work as they should.
Jeffrey –
Send me an email so I can attach a Property Information form. You should always start out the conversation by saying “tell me about your house”. As they tell you about their house then you write down what they say. Then you can start to fill in the blanks in a conversational way. Send it to sharon.vornholt@gmail.com.
Thanks for all the great information!
I have jusrt sent out my first letters and am waiting for responses.
I just realized one thing…
I’m not sure exactly what I should say when sellers call!
I want to buy the house and make your life easier?
Any suggestions?
Robert – all you have to do is change the 1st paragraph or the 1st sentence or two of your letter.
-I just wanted to check in to see how the work on the estate is coming.
-By now you must be nearing the completing of the probate process, and I wanted to see if you are ready to sell the house etc. It doesn’t have to be hard. Just lead off with a different sentence.
Hi Sharon. I share the same sentiment as Beka. I know follow up is the key.
I have a nice first letter, and based on your blog, I like the follow up letter where you ask how the probate progress is going. But I’m mostly stumped.
Would you be willing to give me a sample of your letters as well? I would really appreciate the help as marketing can tend to be expensive.
Beka – I will send you a sample. Just change it up.
Hi Sharon,
I was wondering if you would share some of your probate templates. I follow your podcasts and find that your approach to investing seems to mirror my own. I’d love to see what you send out. My current postcards say “We buy houses and end headaches.” (Send them for the 3rd, 4th and 6th month, letters for months 1, 2, and 5.) but I’m about to order a new batch and I’m wondering if there is a better image to project on the front that conveys professional and sympathetic. Really appreciate all the great advice. 🙂
Hello, Sharon,
I remember listening to a podcast of yours with Bill Walston waay back on MLOs.
I have since become very interested in probate (I read everyone of your blog entries! 🙂
I am setting up some systems in place and will begin marketing soon.
I am hoping that you can assist me with some sample mailing pieces. I’d like to see how I should set the tone for the mailers so I don’t offend the recipient.
Much appreciate your blog, podcasts, posts on BP, etc.
-sheik
Are you wanting to list the house or buy it Lila? That will determine what you have to say in part.
Hi Sharon,
Awesome info! I’ve been searching everywhere for probate letters for Realtors instead of investors, and you have some great tips. I’m a new agent and have spent hours at the courthouse collecting names and addresses, but I just can’t put together the right letter to send to all these people. Is there a sample letter anywhere online that you recommend? Nothing I’m writing sounds right and I can’t find any ideas anywhere that don’t say “let me buy your house- cash!” Thanks!
Judy – Just use a company like yellow letters.com for your postcards. If you want to send me an email at sharon@sharonvornholt.com I will send you a sample.
I just stumbled across your blog and think it is terrific. I am challenged in finding appropriate templates for probate letters and absentee owners. Your direction and input is greatly appreciated. Thank you
Judy
Adrian – I sent you an email. I just posted a new video on probates.
Sharon
Yes! I’m going to start with probates and expand from there. I read everywhere that you have to be very careful about the language used, etc. I also see people saying they have tweaked their message endlessly to get the best response rate. I’m trying to avoid reinventing the wheel and at least have something to start with.
Thanks.
Adrian – Are you talking about for probates?
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the post. Where is the best place to get a template to use as a starting point for creating marketing materials?
Thanks,
Adrian
You are welcome Nick. I use a UPS Mailboxes address so it looks like a real business address with a suite number. I think it is about $20 a month. I wouldn’t use your home address.
I use my cell phone as my business phone. The voice message has my business information. (My friends just have to put up with that).
Sharon,
Thank you putting this info out. Do you use a po box (listed as a suite) or your actual home address for probate mailings? Also, do you use personal cell or something like google voice for your phone number?
Hello Sharon,
I was surfing the internet and came across your very informative website. You are truly a person who loves what you do and I can also see that you love to help others.
The information you provide on your blog is very educational. I have been investing for about 3 years and I only been marketing to individuals in pre-foreclosures.
After reading your blog, I now want to try the probate niche.
Could you send me an example probate letter you send to people that are in charge of the estate.
I live in Connecticut and would love to view the letters you send out. Thanks!!!
Gary-
I don’t get a complaint tpically more than once in 4-6 months. You just have to let those roll off you. I have found that for the most part, folks would rather have you acknowldge that you are aware that they are in a tough situation, than to ignore it. Also, I always offer to finish cleaning out the house as my “something else” in my offer. Since I am a wholesaler, my end buyer is the one that actually does that.
I am always up for suggestions for posts too. So suggest away.
Sharon
Hey Seth – I love the niche of probates. They all want one thing; the cash that’s sitting in the property. In almost all of the cases the property will be sold. They are motivated sellers.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon
Great post as always Sharon. When you mentioned condolences it made me think back to a cople of weeks ago. Within two days I a had one call where the lade told me they are keeping the house but she REALLY appreciated the fact that I offered my condolences. She made a big point of it. A couple of days later a man called and all he could tell me is that how disgusting it was that I would offer condolences to someone I didn’t know.
If you are in need of ideas for future blog posts, may I suggest the same type of posts like the probate posts but for absentee owner or any other catagory. Looking forward to your next post!
Nice post Sharon – I can tell you know this probate niche very well. I’ve never pursued these specific types of properties, but these are great insights to keep in mind if I ever go down that road.