December first occurs this week.

We are up in the snow belt off of the Great Lakes. Got hit with another six inches last night. So annually this is the week where I start running the We Buy Houses adds in the local free shopper newspaper. I typically wait to heating season to get started before marketing in this method. That coupled with snow on the ground make excellent 1- 2 punch.

Only get about one home every other year this way. So why do I still do it? Because the things that sell in this paper tend to be cheaper than in other places. If I advertise in such a location, then the seller will expect me to offer them a low amount. And I am not one to disappoint them or make them into liars.

Remember the difference between a house and home. The add reads, I am looking for empty houses.

These tend to be reno properties- sometimes they are estates.

I use a single page LOI that outlines the highlights of three separate paths. Then I ask the seller to pick one that best suits their needs.

First offer is cash

Second of a small amount down to get the folks away - sometimes if the place might qualify for bank financing, I let them know that they will be dealing with the banks standards.

Third offer is close to full price but they are carrying the dollar amount in even payments.

The first and third paths are followed most often. Any of the paths, work great for me.

Ken,

I was thinking about you last week.

I was over in the center part of your state but down at the state line area.....over in Corning. I spent the day learning about about fiber optics after "investing" over in Salamanca.