Below is an 8x8 strategy to target Absentee Owners in order to win more listings! You will send 8 pieces over 8 weeks. Your first 8 pieces should look personalized to that homeowner and focus on the value you bring.
First things first, you'll need to find the properties with Absentee Owners.
Your tools to use:
- MLS (see step-by-step directions here) or Remine (Remine is for Stellar users only, see step-by-step directions below)
- fastpeoplesearch.com - you will use this to find phone numbers if not available in your export
How to find Absentee Owners Using Remine
Step 1: Log into Stellar MLS-Click REMINE
Step 2: Click Search on the Left Hand Side of the Screen
Step 3: ZOOM and Draw polygon around the Neighborhood
Step 4: Click Add Filter, Click the Blue Pin next to Status
Step 5: Click Status > Drop Box opens, Click Off Market
Step 6: Click Absentee > Drop Box opens, Click In State and Out of State
Step 7: Right Side of the Screen > Click Select All, Then Click CART in the Top Right
Step 8: Name Your Cart, then Click Blue Bar to add those properties to your cart
Step 9: Click CART > Then Click on the Name of the Cart you Created, Check the Top Box to Select All then Click Export
Step 10: Name Your File > Choose Your Columns > Export
Step 11: Takes a Couple of Mins for results to Download, A Pop Up will appear at the top of the page. Click Download. Now you have your Saved List you will perform your 8X8 campaign to.
TIP: You will Need to Clean up the Excel Spreadsheet to make it easier to read
Second step, organize your data
You'll want to organize your data onto a spreadsheet to track your efforts. The data should include:
- Address
- Owner name
- Phone number
- Neighborhood
- Estimated price/price range
- Weeks 1-8
You can download an excel sheet put together at the bottom of this article.
Step three, begin your 8x8 campaign following the weekly activities below.
| Week 1: Send an Introductory Letter with a Neighborhood Snapshot Flyer | |
 Letterhead is in MADI!Branded letterhead options are available to edit and print in MADI. Go directly to the options here.  Neighborhood Activity Flyer is in MADI! Go to the design here. | You always want to come from a place of value when prospecting. In this first communication to the absentee owner, you're going to mail a letter along with a neighborhood activity flyer that includes sold and active (or even pending) properties in the neighborhood! Pro tip on the neighborhood activity flyer: edit the QR Code to point to YOUR home value page. Sample content to copy and paste into the letterhead: Dear [Owner Name], I hope this message finds you well! As the proud owner and leader of your domain at [insert property address here], I’m excited to connect with you. I’d love to chat—either face-to-face or over the phone—about the latest updates in the real estate world, including property values and market trends. I've prepared a detailed report that covers all this and more, just for you. Think of me as your go-to resource for anything and everything real estate. Whether it's mortgages, refinancing, title services, property management, or residential sales, my team and I are here to support you every step of the way. I’m eager to prove my worth and show you how to maximize your investments. Let’s tackle any challenges you might have and achieve your real estate goals together. If you're open to a chat, I’d love to have a quick 15-minute conversation—longer if you’d like! You’ll find my phone number and email address below. Feel free to reach out anytime. Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Warm regards, [Your Name] |
| Week 2: Send a handwritten card | |
Send a hand-written card to follow-up on the letter from last week. BHHS branded notecards are available to purchase on Xpressdocs or you can go to the store and purchase your own. | Sample content: Hi There Owner Name! I wanted to pop into your mailbox to introduce myself. My passion is Real Estate and wanted you to know if there are any questions you have or advice you need, I'm just a call or text away and would be happy to help! |
| Week 3: Mailed Real Estate Review | |
Prepare a real estate review for each property to mail to the property owner.
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| Week 4: Phone Call | |
| Script: Hi [owner name]! This is [agent name] from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group. I wanted to follow up on the real estate review I mailed to you last week. Are there any questions you have? OR If you don’t have their phone number, mail a letter. Hey there [contact name]! Remember that letter I sent you a the other week? Well, I'm hoping we can catch up about your property at [123 Main St]. I'm a local agent, so I know this market and can assist you in finding out the approximate equity in your home. And guess what? Our local market changes have actually increased your property's value! Did you know the median sale price of homes in Tampa has risen from $275,000 in 2020 to $450,000 in July 2024, representing an increase of approximately 64% over a 4-year period? So if you've been considering liquidating your real estate investment, now might just be the perfect time. Let me know if you want a detailed analysis of your property's value - I'd be happy to help! | |
| Week 5: Resume with Letter | |
| Show them the value of working with you. Use the Resume design template in MADI to list out your experience and accolades. Link to resume template in MADI  | Include a letter using the letterhead template in MADI If you’re wanting to sell, but not sure I’m the right person for the job… I wanted to provide you with my real estate resume so you can see I’m serious about the industry and the opportunity to work with you.  |
| Week 6: Text message or letter | |
| Script: Hello [owner name]! This is [agent name] with BHHS Florida Properties Group. I wanted to share with you a super cool tool that provides you with an instant home value! It’s completely free and there’s literally no strings attached. All you do is type in your home’s address and boom, three values will appear! Here’s the link [insert your link here]. Let me know if you like what you see! | |
| Week 7: CORE Present Buyer's Presentation mailed with letter | |
 Print off a CORE Present Buyer's Presentation (1-page CMA) for each house within your absentee owner list and put them in a hand-addressed envelope to each home.Need help with this part? Click here. | Include a printed letter or handwritten notecard with each REPORT! I know I sent you a real estate review about a month ago. There may have been some changes, so I wanted to send you some updated information with this Buyer Market Analysis. Let’s chat soon!
All the Best, Casey |
| Week 8 : Letter or Email with Call to Action (CTA) | |
| Email script: Hey FIRST_NAME, Do you want to be in the know when it comes to the real estate market around your home? As a homeowner, it's important to keep tabs on what's happening. I'm a real estate agent and I have a plethora of tools that can bring value to you on a monthly basis. You can sign up for your own monthly newsletter that will inform you on the current marketplace around your home and it's value. That way, you'll always be ahead of the curve! Reply YES to this email and I can get you signed up, right away! Sincerely, YOUR_NAME | |
| What next? | |
| After completing the 8x8 campaign listed above... Pick one of the activities below to do each quarter. Make sure to do a combination of the below activities so you’re not doing the same thing each time.
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