How to Market to Distressed Properties

Why Focus on Distressed Properties?

Distressed properties are homes or buildings that need some love and real work.

Owners often feel overwhelmed and want help from someone they can trust to get things fixed fast and fair.

For painters, landscapers, roofers, and handymen tired of slow seasons, these jobs can fill your schedule and increase revenue.

You are not chasing after tire-kickers; these are folks who need your skills now and often have fewer bids because other contractors pass them over.

How to Spot Opportunity in Your Neighborhood

Spend an hour driving through a few older neighborhoods in your area.

Look for empty houses with tall grass, peeling paint, tarps on roofs, broken windows, or flyers stuffed in doors.

Make a list of these addresses or pin them in Google Maps.

If you use local social groups, check Facebook Marketplace or local city pages where property owners sometimes post seeking quick help with repairs or yard cleanups.

Ways to Reach Out That Actually Work

It is important to connect in a way that does not seem pushy or desperate, but shows you are reliable and ready to help.

• Leave a simple, handwritten note in the mailbox introducing yourself and what you can fix.
• If the property is listed for sale as-is, call the real estate agent and ask to be recommended or added to their list for repairs.
• Connect with local property management companies who often have lists of distressed homes needing regular attention.
• Join your local Chamber of Commerce or Rotary Club and let other business owners know you are looking for this work.
• Use a clean, professional yard sign with your name, service, and direct phone next to a house you are already fixing up if you have permission.

The best leads come not from big ad spends, but word of mouth and building trust one job at a time.

How a Website Brings in More Distressed Property Owners

Homeowners with distressed properties are often embarrassed or overwhelmed, so many will Google for help before picking up the phone.

If you only rely on Facebook or Craigslist, you miss out on owners searching for a trustworthy local pro.

By having a Google Business Profile and a simple website with your phone, reviews, and photos, you make it much easier for stressed owners to reach out confidently.

You do not need a big, expensive website with lots of pages, just a clear site that says what you do, shows jobs you have finished, and displays real customer trust.

If you want something affordable, Good Stuart gives local businesses their site for free and you only pay for real leads, not for just having a website sitting there doing nothing.

This approach saves money over spending hundreds every month on ads that might not go to serious customers.

Building Trust with Real Proof

People with distressed homes want to see you have done this type of work before.

Ask your past customers for photos of finished jobs, especially if you turned around a property in bad shape.

Encourage reviews on Google and Facebook, as these help new clients feel less nervous about picking you for big jobs.

Share before and after photos on your site and business profile so owners can see your skills without needing a sales pitch.

Referencing local jobs or testimonials shows community experience and helps you stand out from out-of-town companies or fly-by-night contractors.

Why Consistency Wins Over Gimmicks

Showing up in person and following up consistently will bring in more business than any flashy marketing idea.

Set a goal to check in on a few distressed properties each week, either by mail, a quick call, or a personal visit if it feels right.

Keep your site updated and always answer your phone quickly or call back the same day.

This reliability alone puts you ahead of most in your industry and builds the kind of reputation that brings in more referrals and steady work.

How to Use Photos and Stories to Attract Better Leads

Photos of your best turnarounds speak louder than any sales pitch when it comes to winning distressed property work.

Make it a habit to snap before and after photos—clean walls, new paint jobs, fixed fences, or a freshly cut lawn tell a real story.

With the property owner’s permission, use these shots on your Google Business Profile and website so others see you have the right experience.

Try pairing a photo with a short story in captions like We had this roof leak fixed in two days so the family could move in before winter or This overgrown yard is now ready for sale.

Stories help new clients imagine you solving their problems and set you apart from people who just post generic stock photos or claim to be experts without proof.

Working With Real Estate Agents and Banks

Agents and banks are often searching for trustworthy contractors willing to tackle distressed properties fast so listings do not sit forever.

Create a simple flyer or email stating your services, previous experience, and how quickly you can start.

Reach out directly to local RE/MAX, Century 21, or Keller Williams offices and ask to be put on their repair vendor lists—it costs nothing but a little time and usually pays off with steady jobs.

Banks handling foreclosures or short sales—like Wells Fargo or Bank of America—also hire contractors to get homes market-ready, so connect with local asset managers or their field services vendors.

When you do a good job, real estate pros often refer you again and again, especially if you answer calls on the first try and finish projects on time.

Pricing Jobs for Distressed Properties Without Scaring Away Owners

People with distressed homes are often short on budget, but they expect honest costs and clear communication.

Break out your estimates simply—use line items like replace 2 windows, paint living room, or clean gutters, each with a clear price next to them.

This keeps you from losing jobs over confusion or suspicion about hidden charges.

Explain what is included and what is extra, like dump fees, permits, or material upgrades, so there are no surprises later.

If you offer payment options or phased repairs, explain that upfront so owners can prioritize urgent work—this builds trust and shows you are thinking about their best interests, not just your bottom line.

What to Avoid When Marketing to Distressed Properties

Do not waste money on expensive mailers or print ads unless you know exactly which properties you want to target.

Large billboards, radio ads, or boosted social posts are costly and usually do not bring serious, ready-to-hire leads for this type of work.

Generic spam emails or cold calls are a quick way to get blocked or ignored by owners who already feel stressed or hassled.

Instead, focus on building relationships in your local network and let word of mouth and visible proof do most of the marketing.

The Real Value of Pay-For-Results Websites

Most small service business owners do not have time or extra cash to throw away on fancy websites or monthly marketing retainers that never bring in real customers.

Performance-based websites, like those from Good Stuart, offer a way to get online with zero upfront cost and only pay for real leads that come your way.

This means no risk of a site just sitting online collecting dust—you only spend money if you are getting calls or messages from people who want your help.

This is a smarter investment compared to paying hundreds per month to agencies making empty promises or selling vanity stats instead of actual jobs.

If you are ready to try a better approach where your budget goes straight to getting more work, check out the quick steps to get started at our onboarding process.

Keeping Your Schedule Full Without Chasing Low-Quality Leads

The worst feeling is paying for bad leads or wasting time showing up to jobs that never pan out.

You deserve work with property owners who are serious about getting results, not just seeking free estimates or undercutting prices.

By focusing your marketing on people who own distressed homes and showing real proof you can help them, you fill your schedule with quality jobs and steady income—not busywork or race-to-the-bottom tasks.

This is how small service businesses grow steadily without burning out or breaking the bank trying every new marketing trick on the block.

Staying Top of Mind in Your Area

Small service businesses grow fastest when everyone in town knows they can count on you for quality, honest work.

Stay in regular contact with past customers, real estate pros, and property managers through friendly check-ins or holiday mailers so they remember you first when distressed homes pop up.

Drop business cards at hardware stores, local coffee shops, or community boards where people dealing with fixer-uppers might look for help.

Sponsoring a little league team or helping with community repairs puts your name in front of those who matter and shows you care about the area you serve.

Smart Tools for Managing Leads and Jobs

Securing more distressed property jobs is half the battle—staying organized and responsive is just as important.

Simple apps like Google Calendar or Jobber can help you track estimates, schedule reminders, and make sure no lead slips through the cracks.

Respond fast when a new inquiry comes in, as property owners usually pick the first person who answers the phone or replies with a clear quote.

If you use Good Stuart, our leads come straight to you as calls or texts—no logins needed, so it fits how small teams work best.

Choosing Partners Who Understand Local Service Businesses

Your best business partners are the ones who see you as more than just another customer—they treat your business as if it is their own and want to help you succeed long-term.

Avoid big agencies that promise huge growth but do not know what it is like to fix a roof at dusk or mow lawns on a Saturday just to keep up.

Good Stuart is built for service businesses who want honest results, not just flashy designs or empty lessons on Google Analytics.

When the team supporting your website actually listens and delivers only real, trackable leads, you get more time to do what you do best—high-quality hands-on work for your community.

Making Every Job Your Best Advertisement

Word travels fast about contractors who show up, finish the work right, and treat property owners with respect—even if their house is in rough shape.

Delivering little extras—a cleaner yard, quick touch-ups, or pulling the trash out to the curb—can turn a one-time repair into a lifelong customer or the next big referral.

Ask each satisfied customer if they know a neighbor or friend who could use your help, especially after a successful distressed property turnaround.

Your reputation becomes the best marketing tool you have, outshining any canned ad or expensive campaign from a faraway agency.

What Success Looks Like With the Right Approach

Service pros focused on distressed properties often see their schedules fill up even in slow months, while others are scrambling for scraps.

Jobs come from local realtors, neighbors, small banks, and owners who simply need someone they can trust to get problems fixed without drama or hassle.

Your brand is built with every hand shaken, every honest quote, and every finished job—visible in the yards and streets of your own community.

The right website, smart word of mouth, and consistent follow-through mean you will spend less time worrying about where the next customer is coming from and more time doing real work that matters.

Steps to Get Your Business Ready for More Distressed Property Leads

• Make a checklist of your best before and after job photos to keep handy.
• Update your Google Business Profile with new services and recent reviews.
• Ask past customers if they know anyone needing help with neglected homes.
• Prepare a clear, simple flyer outlining what types of distressed property repairs you handle.
• Set aside time each week to check the areas with the most opportunity or follow up with active leads.
• Make sure your phone number and email are front and center on your website and signs.
• Sign up for a results-based website where you only pay for real customer inquiries.
• Reach out to local realtors and banks to build trusted referral connections.

Why Honest, Local Marketing Always Wins

Marketing to distressed properties is not about pushing products or fancy digital tricks—it is about building trust, showing proof, and making it easy for serious customers to find you when they need real help.

If you stick with what works—reliable communication, clear pricing, and a website that puts your best work up front—you will stand out from the crowd and keep your business growing at a steady, healthy pace.

If you want to get started the smart way, be sure to check out how our process works here and see how simple it is to get your business in front of more customers who matter.