Driving For Dollars
Below are some tips to help you successfully drive for dollars (look for vacant or distressed properties). You will learn what to look for, what not to look for, and most importantly HOW TO GET PAID.
Driving for vacant/abandoned properties is easy, and many times it's something you're already doing! Watch the video to see what to look for, and read through the information below to get started! If you have any additional questions or need more help, reach out to the person who referred you to this page, or email us directly at Jeff@MoCashBuyers.com
What To Look For:
When driving around you're looking for obvious signs of vacancy; vacant/abandoned single family homes.
Piled up mail or newspapers
Smashed out windows
No blinds or curtains on any of the windows
High grass
Code violation, condemned, or eviction stickers
Old door hangers that aren't throughout the rest of the neighborhood (ex. boy scout blue bags, restaurant advertisment, etc.)
Clearly empty houses
Trees down in driveway
Below is an example of what a code violation sticker looks like, although there are different types, so different cities may vary, but generally speaking the image below is what they will look like. You will see these types of stickers/papers posted on doors & windows. Look for words like Violation to confirm. They are typically bright, obnoxious colors.
Good areas include, but are not limited to:
St. Charles County, St. Peters, Wentzville, North County, Florissant, Hazelwood, Black Jack, Maryland Heights, Overland, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, Manchester, Ballwin, Maplewood, Chesterfield, Brentwood, Crestwood, Richmond Heights, South St. Louis City, The Hill, Shaw, Benton Park, Soulard, Tower Grove, Central West End
Areas we typically do NOT invest in:
North City, Glasgow Village, Spanish Lake, Riverview, Moline Acres, Castle Point, Northwoods, Pine Lawn, Hillsdale, Pagedale, Hanley Hills
What To Avoid:
For sale sign in the yard or listed with agent
In perfect condition
People living there
Lockbox on door
Dumpster in the front (use with discretion. Could be cleaning out late relative or could be getting rehabbed).
Tips & Tricks:
Talk to neighbors who are outside. Just politely ask them if they know anything about this house. Many times neighbors have a lot of information to give and are happy to tell you, because they don't want a vacant, unsightly house next to them. Sometimes they will even give the owners phone number.
If you drive around on trash day, you can see all of the properties that do not have their trash can pulled out, this means they are either on vacation, are vacant, or have no trash! It is an easy way to see which properties are vacant.
If there are alleys, driving around the back of houses can many times give more signs of vacancy. If you can see the backyard or back of the house, this usually helps show if a property is vacant/abandoned or not.
HOW TO GET PAID:
When you have found a vacant/abandoned property that fits the criteria above send the address with any notes for example:
123 Candy Lane 63123 (windows boarded up, mail piling up)
456 Kit Kat Road 64577 (high grass, neighbors said property has been vacant for two years and 47 raccoons have made it their homestead)
Just email, text, or facebook message the properties to whoever sent you to this training, or you can submit the property address to: