Bandit signs are simple: a phone number, a short message such as We Buy Houses with Fast Cash, and a memorable format. Place them at high-traffic intersections and on-ramps in neighborhoods where motivated sellers live. The signs generate calls from sellers who drive past them repeatedly and eventually decide to call. The cost per lead is often $5–$20 — some of the lowest in investor marketing.
Place signs at intersections with high daily traffic, near highway on-ramps and off-ramps in your target neighborhoods, and on major arterial roads. Distribute across your target market rather than clustering in one area — distribution produces more calls from different neighborhoods. Use a Google Voice number on signs so you can track which signs produce calls and pull bad-performing locations.
Bandit signs are illegal in most municipalities when placed on public property. Fines range from $25 to $500 per sign in most markets, and some cities actively remove and fine. Many investors accept this as a cost of doing business. Others work around it by placing signs on private property with owner permission. Research your local regulations before deploying at scale.
18x24 corrugated plastic signs cost $1.00–$2.50 each at print shops or online. Wire stands run $0.50–$1.00 each. A deployment of 50–100 signs costs $100–$350 and should produce 5–15 calls over the following weeks. Refresh signs monthly as they get removed, faded, or damaged.
Dan White is a licensed Virginia real estate agent at Pearson Smith Realty and founder of FreeDealCalc.com. He has been investing in Northern Virginia real estate for 20+ years.