Hi Laura ~ thanks for your question. Bear in mind I've been "farming" for (next year) a quarter century - lol - there is no best size for a farm. Also, your farm will bring business to you from outside your farm, because your farm folks will send you their friends and relatives.
When I started in real estate, no one used computers yet, so everyone relied on MLS books. I studied the books, chose a farm (actually three farms), studied the books some more... every spare minute I had. So, today, it would equate to studying the MLS on line. Other agents used to tease me about "reading" the MLS book.
I booked appointments to privately view/inspect every listing that ever appeared in my farm, for years, so I got to know which builder built what and the quality (or not). When I moved to my area, I had no friends, family or SOI (sphere of influence). So I had to start some place. Didn't even know where the streets were located.
Drove the streets on inspection or open house days. STUDIED everything relative that I could get my hands on, and kept copious amounts of notes, all filed specifically so I could refer to them at a glance. Talked to anyone who was outside. Kept more notes, even though back then I had a wonderful memory. I never door-knocked. I said to myself, if I must walk up and down every driveway, careful not to step on the lawn, then I would have joined the postal service. At least they get a regular pay ck.
Mailers help, but are expensive. Sometimes rather than state facts, I'd ask a question, such as - if they would like info on the house down the street that just sold - call ME and leave their number. Today we must be more cautious due to the Privacy Act(s).
It got so I was "in their face" regularly even if I "wasn't doing anything", and I moved folks from the less expensive farm to the mid-price farm, and those folks on to the more expensive farm. I always carried from 17-23 listings and often had enough of each to choose from, that out of six possible ends, I'd have five. I became known as the local neighborhood expert. It happened so fast, that other Realtors told everyone that I was married to an important political person, that I had hundreds of relatives in the areas, that the boss gave me every new listing that came to the office (NOT EVER), and all sorts of vicious stories about how I got so much business. I received many thank you letters, written by the folks themselves (I NEVER WROTE THEM MYSELF. I don't believe in that, even though courses teach it.)
Of course there is much more I did as well, some of which is in the first post. More later. I had no response except yours and one other, so I figured folks weren't interested.
Thanks again.
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