Last Cast Letter #25: Annual Letter

Hi All - Happy Friday. It’s the last day of the month, which means it’s time for the Last Cast Letter.

913 subscribers, 48% open rate, 7% click-through rate.

That’s where this newsletter stands after exactly one year of monthly issues.

To some, those numbers might seem "small." Compared to our daily newsletter, The Street Sheet, which just surpassed 160,000 subscribers, they are.

But size isn’t the goal here. Precision is our purpose.

The aim of this newsletter is to connect with accredited individuals who share our interest in investing in real estate.

So, how are we doing?

As you know, each newsletter includes a "call to action" at the top and bottom, inviting readers to fill out this form if they’re interested in investing alongside us.

After one year, we’ve received 108 responses. Of those, 76 individuals self-identified as accredited investors.

More importantly, I’ve spoken directly to 10 of them through video calls. These weren’t quick chats—I got to know them, confirmed their credentials, and ensured their interest in real estate investing was genuine.

Together, these 10 individuals have expressed interest in investing a combined $1,675,000.

Now let's see who actually cuts the check when the time comes. Both market and personal situations change.

But when I revisit my goal of finding individuals who are interested in my investment thesis and worldview regarding real estate, I would call this past year a success.

What’s Next for Year Two?

In marketing terms, this newsletter’s focus is “lead generation.”

I want to continue growing this list thoughtfully, ensuring our filtering process attracts accredited investors. I’ll keep having those one-on-one conversations to demonstrate that I’m a real person with real ambitions—and I’ll nurture these relationships.

But the most important piece of the puzzle? Finding a deal that pencils.

That’s been the toughest part. Over the past year, I’ve evaluated several properties, mostly in Miami, Boston, and Boulder. While there have been some intriguing opportunities, the current interest rate environment has made things challenging.

On every property, I ask two questions:

1. Is there any assumable debt?

2. Is seller financing available?

Nine times out of ten, the answer is a firm "no" to both. At that point, I’m left wondering if I should go back to the seller and suggest knocking $500,000—or more—off the asking price.

But I digress.

For year two, my focus remains clear: continue growing the investor list, stay disciplined in underwriting properties, and remain patient for the right opportunity.

Reflecting on This Journey

This past year has been exciting, albeit imperfect. The investing landscape isn’t ideal right now, and I wouldn’t say there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

But I believe there will be opportunities—and I’m having a blast. Meeting incredible people, honing my strategy, and sharing this journey with you all has been deeply rewarding.

One final thought: this newsletter has reaffirmed something for me.

At Money Marketers, we help financial firms leverage email and content marketing to do exactly what I’m doing with The Last Cast Letter.

• For funds, we help you use email and content to find potential investors.

• For financial advisors and asset managers, we help you close more clients.

• For retail investing apps, we help you drive more users to your platform and boost engagement (DAUs and MAUs).

If you’ve been on the fence about starting a newsletter, do it.

Or, if you’d like help getting started, get in touch. Consistency and persistence pay off, and the results are absolutely worth it.

Until next month, thank you for being a part of this journey.

And as always, if you’re interested in investing alongside us, click the button below and fill out our form.

— Brooks