For those of you who distribute flyers to neighbors inviting them to your Open Houses - or anyone who has ideas - how do your flyers look and what is the content?

I was thinking something like:

Dear Neighbor,

You're Invited to Attend an Open House at:

Time, Date, Location


or...?


Should I use the back side of the flyer?

Should I go 1/2 page instead of full page?


I'm using black print on (blue/teal/green) papers and I'll have them copied/cut at Kinko's.


Thanks

I usually go to OfficeMax and buy the printable postcard paper (they have to be postcard paper size or else they all will be returned to you)and print a pic of your listing with a catchy header such as "Want to peek into your neighbors home this Thursday?" and in the back side of the postcard write the invitation along with my contact info,what I will be serving, home characteristics. Oh and don't forget your pic. These work great for me. P>S> I also invite lenders as well since they sometimes have buyers as well, after the open house ask them to post the postcard at there waiting room, I have gotten buyers like this. Good Luck

I use Microsoft Publishers tri-fold brochures template and design something that looks nice and gives all the info about the property except the price. I print in everything in color. I use a paper cutter that my office has to slice them up and staple them to door hangers. I knock and if the people answer then they get the flier and door hangar, if they don't answer then I hang it. Easy enough formula I guess. Can't say I have gotten a great response from it though.

Is it okay to insert flyers inside mailboxes or is postage required? Does anyone know the "rules" of distributin flyers?

Absolutely illegal. Can't touch the mailbox.

Amon,
The USPS will report you. It is against the law to insert letters, flyers etc inside a Mailbox. it is not against the law to place a flyer outside the mailbox though!

You've got to be kidding! It's ILLEGAL to put a flyer in a mailbox? What is the USPS? The American version of the Gestapo. Who owns your maiboxes? You or the post office? What's the rationale?

USPS= United States Postal Service.

I am aware of what USPS stands for but thanks anyway.

The homeowner owns the mailbox...it's not public property. Why would a salesperson have the right to open it?

It makes sense to me....I certainly wouldn't want someone potentially rummaging around in my mail after it was delivered. Some people get checks through the mail that could be stolen. Most people around here also have newspaper "tubes" where we can insert flyers. Doesn't seem to be a big issue not to use the mailbox.

I live in Canada so excuse me if I find it incredible that a real estate agent can't put a flyer in a mailbox and it's a Federal crime if he/she does so.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Regarding the USPS, that's just how it is. If you want something to arrive in someone's mailbox in this country - you've got to pay postage.

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Diane,

I'm going to follow your example for a flyer.

"Want to peek into your neighbors home this Sunday?

Curious, though - you mention that you write down what you'll be serving. So you lure them with FREE FOOD.

What do you typically 'serve' at your open houses and how much does is cost you?

Thanks,
BuyingAllHouses

Had to finish the flyers (going to pass out now)...Since I don't know what I'll be serving, I just put:

Neighbor's Only Reception 1-2pm
(Refreshments provided)

Public Open House - 2-4pm.

This way - I only have to have enough food for the 1st hour.

Still need ideas on what to serve?

I do a lot of open houses. Less is more. Obviously, you don't want anything too messy. Simple finger food is best. Sometimes I use a deli to prepare simple wraps. I've also made fruit skewers that people can handle without things getting messy. I also bring individual packets of hand wipes this helps with families that have small children. Also, nothing that spoils easily. You don't want to have to worry about how fresh or safe the food is on a hot day. During the summer I have plenty of cold bottled water and sodas that people can take with them.

Good luck.

Excellent question to bring up, Amom...very pertinent to this thread. If the post office did not have that rule of "don't touch the mailbox", there would be so much junk in there from all kinds of people that the real mail would get lost. Think about all the door stuff that people receive, including ours...and imagine it in your mailbox if there was no rule. Plus, people would leave anything they wanted to give the homeowner in the mailbox. For instance, the Avon lady would leave her book, neighbors would drop off borrowed items, kids would drop off their homework for a sick pal...I have wanted to leave tons of stuff in the mailbox over the years.

Everybody knows that the United States Postal Service is supposed to protect our mail. They cannot do that if everyone uses it. A stranger would be able to open your mail box and remove something, and nobody would pay any attention. The way it is now, it would be very noticable for anyone other than the homeowner or the postman to remove mail. In order to get mail, we must furnish a mail box for the exclusive use of the postal service, mainly the carrier. He is questioned about what goes in there, and does not need anyone else in the mailbox except the homeowner. Without the rule, we could not call the post office and say, "why haven't I been getting my mail?" Just some feedback on the subject... Thanks.