The title says it all; I just hate bandit signs. When I see these things littering our corner intersections proclaiming cheap mortgages or foreclosure assistance I wonder who the poor saps are that actually call these numbers.
The first thing that I think when I see a bandit sign is "here's a guy who's willing to do something illegal to make a little money." Not exactly a first impression that inspires me to pick up the phone and strike up a business relationship.
Laws vary from region to region, but in most areas the city comes around periodically to collect these things eyesores. There's so much of it that I doubt that anyone gets prosecuted for breaking city ordinances. That might be enough to make you think "hey these guys are getting some pretty good free advertising; I'm missing out."
Well there's another way - a better one. When I'm looking to find a tenant for a home that doesn't have good exposure to traffic I'll simply knock on a few doors. I'll pick a nearby house that does have good traffic, and then offer the owner $10 or $20 to plop a sign in their front yard. You can get a sign from the FSBO center at Lowes or Home Depot for fifteen bucks or so, and some vinyl stick-on letters (recommended) for a few bucks more.
Advantages:
1) It's legal. Ok, I know that not everyone out there is as uptight about the bandit sign thing as I am. But some folks are - and bandit sign users turn off these potential applicants.
2) It looks better and makes a better impression: Bandit signs need to be cheap. Why? Because they're disposable; someone eventually will come along and toss them in the trash. Therefore bandit signs tend to be cheap, flimsy and ugly. But if your sign is legal then you're less likely to lose it, so you can spend a few bucks on a nice sign with stick-on letters.
3) It's an excuse to strike up a conversation with your neighbor. Sometimes they might know someone who is interested in renting the property.
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