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Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

For me as a recipient, it depends.  A random post card or envelope is likely to be tossed. One on higher quality stock or with a time-appropriate message may get read and even remembered before tossing. A personalized letter is mostly seen,  by me, as too desperate unless the addressor is known to me. I imagine the answer will vary by different factors. 

Dec 05, 2018 07:28 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 Trade-sized postcard, large print.

 Or, handwritten address on a white envelope, with a first class mail commemorative stamp on it. 

Dec 05, 2018 07:55 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It really depends Will on what is being sent ... the message, the reader's need/interest in the offering, etc. 

Dec 05, 2018 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Post card

Dec 05, 2018 07:44 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Post cards have better chance of getting a glance before throwing them in recycle bin.

Dec 05, 2018 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

it depends on what you are doping it for. I do handwritten thank you noteds every day and that is something for an envelope.

Dec 05, 2018 07:17 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Although I love a good letter, we have short attention spans these days - I'd have to say post cards, Will!

Dec 05, 2018 07:16 AM
Ambassador
5,049,455
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Depends on the quality, as Ron and Alexandra Seigel stressed!

Dec 05, 2018 07:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

It depends. Usually a postcard gets a cursory look before hitting the circular file

Dec 05, 2018 07:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Will,

I throw away postcards printed on junk paper, and those letters that comes from a mass mailing without reading the first and opening the second.  If it is well done, I pay attention...I happen to hate CHEAP, because, there are so many ways to do something ELEGANTLY that does not require lots of money. A

Dec 05, 2018 07:07 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

In my case it all depends on the return address on the envelope Will Hamm . I'm going to glance at a postcard but as we just witnessed with the huge onslaught of political postcards many only get a very brief glance.

Dec 05, 2018 07:04 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A post card is more likely to get read, and much less expensive.

Dec 05, 2018 07:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

It is advertising that you are talking about. A quick glance will determine my next action. In the recycling or a more thorough review. Both often get discarded before being read. Some get my attention.

Dec 05, 2018 07:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Will .... you know the answer to this so ????

They will read the post card as it is easier.

Dec 05, 2018 10:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Depends what the purpose of the mailing is.

Dec 05, 2018 09:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I often do not open envelopes from agents 

Dec 05, 2018 09:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It's hard NOT to read a post card, since the message is out in the open.  Envelopes from unknown people get trashed.

Dec 05, 2018 09:10 AM
Rainer
375,087
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

Another vote for a post card. I generally rip and toss junk mail. I toss the post card but generally look at both sides of it since I don't have to take the time to open it. 

Dec 05, 2018 08:55 AM
Rainer
281,639
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

I think a postcard is more effective.  I tend to toss 'marketing' material in envelopes without opening them.

Jan 03, 2019 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

It depends.

Dec 09, 2018 08:32 AM
Ambassador
4,693,341
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I think they would be more likely to read a flashy postcard, unless the envelope is made to look like something personal, rather than an advertisement.

Dec 07, 2018 11:23 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I for one throw both away without taking a second look

Dec 06, 2018 06:42 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I think it depends on the presentation.

Dec 06, 2018 06:33 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

As a recipient, I almost always read the front and back of a postcard. Some envelopes just get ripped up and thrown away without being read (depends on the sender), and if I take out a letter from an envelope, I'll glance through it but won't read the entire thing unless it's very interesting. Which is rare.

Dec 06, 2018 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Hands down, people will open an envelope.

Dec 06, 2018 02:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Depends on your presentation.

Dec 05, 2018 11:19 PM
Rainer
155,337
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

More people will definately read the postcard, starting with the company that creates it, all of the people in the mail delivery process and of course the end recipient will have not choice but to see some portion of it even if they choose to not read it all.

Dec 05, 2018 10:14 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Send a hand written note in an envelope.

Dec 05, 2018 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Post cards always get glanced at, but a hand written envelope - I always open those!

Dec 05, 2018 04:35 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Postcard that serves a purpose calls to me. The other stuff is old world

Dec 05, 2018 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I really think post cards.

Dec 05, 2018 01:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

A hand written envelope gets more attention although once the sender's information becomes known the jig is up and postcards rule once again. You need to find the sweet spot of frequency and offer something for best results.

Dec 05, 2018 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Post cards

Dec 05, 2018 12:10 PM
Rainmaker
666,639
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Will ~ I use postcards whenever possible since they can see the message and I know I recycle many a letter addressed to our household without ever opening them.

Dec 05, 2018 11:31 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the 'Sender Address" has no authority, then the Hook on the post card will prove more effective.

EXCEPTION: if the envelop is invitation size, it will be opened and read.

Dec 05, 2018 11:28 AM
Rainer
289,607
Byron K . Jones
Coatesville, PA
List Today - Sold Tomorrow!

Post Card, when i receive a letter i look at the post mark 1st....1st class possible opening....standard immediate trash

Dec 05, 2018 11:12 AM
Rainmaker
74,540
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Agree with Michael Jacobs

Dec 05, 2018 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

a postcard, if there's a graphic that MAKES then hesitate for a moment and glance at it... it works for us...Tammy picked up another listing yesterday.... 

Dec 05, 2018 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
191,939
Erika Rae Albert, Austin Real Estate Expert
E-Rae Realty - Austin, TX
Exceeding Expectations in Every Transaction

I think the envelope, but make sure it has a hand written address and maybe a colorful envelope.

Dec 05, 2018 09:37 AM