How One Investor Turned Construction Expertise into a $90K Deal

Adam Z. got his start in the United States in 2004 after moving from Poland at just 19 years old. He began working in construction, where he was exposed to real estate investors and quickly realized that’s the path he wanted to pursue.

After the 2008 market crash Adam and his wife purchased a condo and sold it two years later for a 100% gain. That experience that pushed them to fully commit to real estate investing.

Since then they’ve built an acquisition business focused on consistently sourcing and closing deals, combining direct mail marketing with Adam’s deep construction knowledge.

The Opportunity: A Tired Landlord Ready to Sell

This deal came from a targeted absentee owner with high equity—a segment known for producing motivated sellers.

The property owner was:

• 87 years old
• Dealing with a non-paying tenant for over 6 months
• Ready to be done with the property entirely

For him, this wasn’t about maximizing profit, it was about relief and certainty.

Execution: Turning Expertise Into a Competitive Advantage

Adam sent a relatively small direct mail campaign:

• 760 letters to absentee owners
• Targeting high-equity properties
• Using Art Deco-style letters

When the seller reached out, Adam’s construction background became the key differentiator.

While other investors likely submitted lower offers to protect their margins, Adam was able to:

• Accurately estimate rehab costs
• Confidently justify a higher offer
• Create a win-win scenario for the seller

He initially valued the deal around $125K but ultimately agreed to purchase the property for $140K- knowing the numbers still worked in his favor.

That confidence helped him stand out and secure the deal.

The Results: A Deal With ~$90K Profit Potential

Deal Breakdown:

• Purchase Price: $140,000
• Estimated Rehab: $60,000–$70,000
• After Repair Value (ARV): $300,000
• Estimated Profit: ~$90,000

Marketing Performance:

• Mailers Sent: 760
• List: Absentee Owners (High Equity)
• Channel: Direct Mail (Letters)

Note: Closing a deal from 760 mailers is not typical but it highlights what’s possible with the right list, message, and positioning.

Why This Deal Worked

This wasn’t just a marketing win, it was an expertise win!

Adam didn’t just make an offer. He made an informed offer.

Because he understood construction at a deep level, he was able to:

• Move faster
• Offer more confidently
• Solve the seller’s problem without hesitation
• That combination is what ultimately got his offer accepted.

Key Takeaway: Your Knowledge Impacts Your Deal Flow

Many investors assume missed deals are a marketing or negotiation problem.

But often, the real issue is this: They don’t fully understand their numbers so they offer too low.

By leveling up your skill set (like construction, rehab costs, or deal analysis), you can:

• Make stronger offers
• Win more deals
• Increase your margins

 

Ready to Start Landing Deals Like This?

Direct mail works, but it works even better when you pair it with the right strategy, the right list, and a message that actually gets opened.

Want to see what a custom direct mail campaign could look like for your market? Schedule a free strategy call with our team and let's map it out together.