I got a letter from one of those property investors. As real estate agents who probably own more than just your primary home, I would think most of you have received one at some point.
The letter reeks of direct mail "insider tricks." You know, the kind we all use:
- Handwriting font on the envelope to make it look like a "real" letter.
- No name on the outside return address to make it even more intriguing.
- My real name used in the letter. No "Occupant" for me, no Sir!
- Handwriting font inside too. Isn't he thoughtful to take the time?
I can just imagine him sending these off to all the absentee owners in a decent area hoping to get a nibble. I decided to give him a call. You see, I've been contemplating selling that property anyway. What harm can it do? So what if they offer 60-70 cents on the dollar and prey on folks who are down on their luck? I wanted to know for myself how much he would give me for the house so I can consider all my options.
I dial the number and get a woman's voice. She sounds like she'd rather be doing anything other than answering the phone. "Hello-o-o-o-o?"
"Hi, may I speak with Christopher please?" (that's all he put on the letter. No last name. No company name. No wannabe LLC name.)
"You have the wrong number!" Click!
OK, that was rude. Maybe I dialed the wrong number. Let me try again.
This time she didn't even allow me to get the first word out. Screaming, at the top of her lungs, "I told you, you have the wrong number!" Click! She's either a lousy receptionist or has been getting shortchanged on paydays lately.
I look up the number online. Unpublished land line. I look up the street address that is on the outside of the envelope. A mail processing place.
I decide to write my dear old friend Christopher, who was so thoughtful to take the time to send me a hand-written letter, a real handwritten letter.
I explained what had happened and asked him to get in touch with me if he was still interested in purchasing my property. I also offered a word of advice: proof-read his mailing campaigns or alert his secretary (cough..cough..girlfriend?..cough) that he's expecting some calls.
Poor guy probably gave up investing after he got no responses from this mailing. My heart breaks for him.
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
None of this information is to be deemed legal or financial advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for same.
Maggie,
Was the ink red? And maybe it was his ex wife who was pissed off that he left her with a business that died and she was stuck with the bills:)
Ashley - you got the gist of this just right! =)
Gary - plus the licking. Don't forget that.
Jason - I'll make sure to eat a taco over the next letter I mail you. he he he It's Friday. I'm feeling punchy. What can I say?
Mana - I called alright, but who did I reach? That remains to be seen. =)
Sally - so he sits there and faxes these things to all the offices in town? Too funny. I guess he figures somebody's gotta bite?
Jason - hermanito, como estas? =) Loathe is a seriously wicked word, dude. I guess you must mean it.
Jennifer - that's a joke, right? I think I was the only one dumb enough to both call and let him know what transpired. =)
Neal - somehow if it was his ex I think she would have enjoyed telling me what a...ahem..."fine man" he was. She didn't bother with that. But anything's possible though =)
Carole - I was feeling bad for him too, but then I had not considered Joanne's take on this. Maybe he got exactly what he wanted! LOL
George - oh you do make me laugh. My kind of man! All work and no play makes George, and Maggie and apparently Jason too, a bunch of dull creeps =)
Joanne - That scenario had not occurred to me! To think that he might have been devious enough to concoct something like this to get his ex-wife rattled. Hmmmmm......
Jason - you're shedding some light onto your psyche here. Birds of a feather, flock together, I might add. =)
Paula - from the sound of her voice...too many!
Ashley - they say revenge is sweet, but I'm not sure I buy into that. Too much energy involved and you're still letting the other person control you in a way. I say good riddance to bad rubbish!
Dwight - I think that would be even more than the mailer bargained for! =)
Laurie - it takes such small things to entertain us, no? =)