Bandit Signs - Everything You Need to Know

A vibrant bandit sign made from corrugated plastic stands prominently in a yard, advertising a special sale with bold text. The sign is designed to attract attention and promote a business, showcasing the benefits of cheap yard signs for effective marketing.

Bandit Signs Have One Job: Get the Damn Phone Ringing

Bandit signs have been used in the trenches of real estate marketing for decades. Love them or hate them, they work. They're cheap, they catch attention, and if you know where and how to place them, they pull in motivated sellers like moths to a flame.

People cry about code enforcement or some busybody neighbor pulling them down — but let’s be honest: if that’s enough to stop you, wholesaling ain’t your game. These signs still bring results. And in this business, results matter.

Whether you're just starting or scaling your advertising, you better learn the art of putting out bandit signs the M.O.B. way — low cost, high impact, and no excuses.

What is a Bandit Sign?

A bandit sign is a low-cost advertising weapon. Usually printed on corrugated plastic or cardboard, they’re slapped onto poles, hammered into the ground, or zip-tied wherever drivers stop.

It’s a loud, simple message:
💥 “We Buy Houses – CASH”
💥 “Sell Your House Fast – No Repairs!”
💥 “Call Now – We Close Quick”

That’s it. Ugly. Bold. In-your-face. These cheap signs aren’t trying to win design awards. They're built for results — getting traffic to stop and contact you.

And yeah, they’re called bandit for a reason. Not everyone’s thrilled about seeing them around town. But when done smart, they can quietly build a six-figure business.

Are Bandit Signs Illegal?

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Short answer? In most places — yes. Long answer? They’re illegal like speeding is illegal… but people still do it every damn day.

In most U.S. cities, bandit signs violate local ordinances. You might get a slap on the wrist or a fine — sometimes $3 to $4 per sign. That adds up quick if you're sloppy.

Then there’s the “bandit sign police” — aka code enforcement officers with too much time and not enough patience. Some will rip your signs down, some will fine you, and some will get real sneaky — posing as fake sellers to get your info and send you a bill.

That’s why you don’t use your real name or personal number. You protect your business and use tools like Google Voice or CallRail. Never list a number that’s tied to your LLC or website. These people are hunting — don’t be easy prey.

Before putting any bandit signs out, check your local laws. Some counties don’t care. Others will come for your kneecaps. Know the line — then toe it like a pro.

We Buy Houses Bandit Signs

“We Buy Houses” signs are the OG of distressed property marketing. Real estate investors have been putting these bad boys out since flip phones were hot.

But just because it’s old school doesn’t mean it’s outdated.

In competitive markets, yellow bandit signs with thick black letters still pull leads. But here's the kicker — every market's different. Some areas are hot with responses. Others are flooded or tightly policed.

You’ve gotta order smart, test different message variations, and track your results. Don’t just toss signs randomly and hope they work. This is a volume game and a testing game.

Always diversify your advertising — these signs are one piece of the puzzle, not the whole board.

How to Make Bandit Signs

When it comes to creating bandit signs, keep it simple and savage. These aren’t about looking pretty — they’re about grabbing attention and making your message impossible to ignore.

Start with corrugated plastic. It’s lightweight, weather-resistant, and lasts longer than that cardboard junk. Yellow signs with black ink are the gold standard — yellow catches the eye, and black screams urgency.

Want options? You’ve got ‘em:

Don’t overthink the design — big letters, bold text, and a direct call. That’s what gets calls, not cute artwork.

What Size Should I Use?

Standard size? 24” x 18”. That’s the workhorse of the bandit sign world.

But here’s the Property M.O.B. pro tip: cut them in half. Yep — split one sign into two 18” x 12” blanks and double your quantity for the same price. That’s called being ruthless with your budget.

This hack works great for ground-level signs. You’re getting more products on the street, more exposure, and more traffic to your phone line.

Run the signs horizontally or vertically depending on your message and location. Flexibility is key. Always aim for easy readability and max visibility.

Which Font Gets the Best Results?

Forget polished. Forget professional. The font that crushes it with bandit signs? It looks like a regular person scrawled it with a fat Sharpie — because that’s what connects.

Handwritten-style fonts like AKBAR or YELLOW JUG work because they scream real, not corporate. They don’t look like they were made by some overpaid design agency — and that’s the point. You want the customer on the street to feel like they’re dealing with a person, not a company.

Vendors like Dirt Cheap Signs offer pre-set options with the best handwritten styles. Or skip the printed route and write them yourself with a bold permanent marker. It saves price and gives off that authentic, no-BS feel.

This isn’t about beauty — it’s about believability.

What Should My Message Say?

You’re not writing a novel — you’re delivering a gut punch in five words or less. A bandit sign isn’t the place to talk about features or benefits. It’s where you create urgency and action.

Examples that get the phone ringing:

Keep it direct. Keep it bold. And always test multiple messages to see what hits hardest in your country or city.

One more street-tested trick? Use a female name if you’re writing in a personal tone. Female names get more callbacks — period. People feel more comfortable calling “Sarah” than “Vince.”

And above all: never use your real name.

What Phone Number Should I Use on My Bandit Signs?

Here’s a rule: Never put your real number on a bandit sign. That’s like walking into code enforcement and handing them your business card.

Use a Google Voice number, a prepaid trac phone, or a call-tracking number from a service like CallRail. That way, if your signs get flagged, there’s no direct line back to you or your business.

Keep that number off the internet too — no website, no social media, nothing searchable. Cities are getting slick. Some company snitches will pose as sellers just to see if you’ll spill the beans. Don’t take the bait.

Keep your identity locked down. Use separate contact info. And track every order of signs with a different number if you're hitting multiple cities or zip codes.

Send Calls to Voicemail

Every call doesn’t need to hit your phone in real-time. In fact, it shouldn’t.

Set your bandit sign number to go straight to voicemail. Why? Because it filters out tire kickers and gives you time to vet the message.

Ask the caller to leave:

Then, do your homework before calling back. Search the property, spot red flags, and prep your angle.

And here's a slick M.O.B. trick: if someone sounds off, they probably are. If it’s code enforcement, they’ll dodge real questions or press too hard. Trust your gut. Call with caution.

How Much Do Bandit Signs Cost

Let’s break it down — the price you pay depends on how smart you are when you order. One lonely sign can run you about $15. But that’s rookie stuff. Bulk is where the budget stays lean and the results stack up.

You want quantity discounts? Order 100 signs, and now you're looking at $1.55 to $2.00 a pop — stakes included. That’s real talk. Local print shops often beat online vendors once you factor in shipping options and business day turnaround. Always compare.

Want to go full-on M.O.B. and get savage with the cheap signs game? Hit up the Dollar Tree. Grab some poster boards or cheap yard signs, cut them in half, and double your quantity. It’s gritty, but it works.

Online companies like Dirt Cheap Signs are solid too — reliable shipping, easy reorders, fast delivery. Just make sure you double-check the details: thickness, stakes included, and if they offer great rates for bulk loads.

And don’t skip reviews. If other wholesalers are raving, that tells you the quality is solid.

How Many Real Estate Signs Should I Put Out?

This game ain’t about hope — it’s about hustle. Putting out a couple yard signs here and there won’t move the needle. You need volume. You need eyes. You need traffic.

Start with no less than 100 bandit signs a month — that’s 25 a week. Not when you feel like it. Not when the mood strikes. Every. Single. Week.

If that sounds like a lot, good. It should. That’s the commitment it takes to build a real business in this space. Can’t keep up? Hire someone. Train a customer or bird dog. But don’t stop. Ever.

Consistency is what separates deal closers from deal chasers. Most people break down before they break through.

Put in the work, and the results will come.

Where to Put Bandit Signs

If you're going to spend time and money putting out bandit signs, don’t waste it by sticking them where nobody’s looking. This is all about traffic — real, local eyeballs seeing your message at just the right moment.

Start with weekends. Friday night is prime time — people are out, relaxed, and driving slower through neighborhoods and commercial areas.

Focus on public spaces. Stay off private property unless you want angry phone calls or worse. Be strategic. Use yard signs with wire stakes and find ground spots where they’ll stay put — and actually get read.

Zip ties and staple guns are your best friends. Utility poles? Check. Street sign posts? Even better. Make sure you're not violating local utility laws, but yeah — we all know the game.

Also: use vertical flutes when you order your signs. That lets you use wire stakes easily. And if you’re cutting costs with DIY cheap signs, use bolt cutters to split the stakes and stretch your supply.

Places to Put Bandit Signs

Here’s your target list, M.O.B. style:

Placement is everything. If your signs aren’t seen, they’re worthless. Don’t be lazy — create a route and hit it every week like clockwork.

Places to Avoid Putting Bandit Signs

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Just because you can place a bandit sign somewhere doesn’t mean you should. Some spots scream “rookie move,” and others will get you fined faster than you can say “code enforcement.”

❌ Private yards — homeowners don’t want your sign, and they’ll rip it down before it sees daylight.
❌ Subdivisions and HOAs — these areas are patrolled like Fort Knox, and they’ll call the city on you in a heartbeat.
❌ Nice neighborhoods — signs here get trashed or removed immediately. Not worth it.
❌ Fast zones — anywhere cars fly by at 45+ mph is a waste. No one’s reading your message.
❌ Auto shops — sounds smart, but it’s not. They see signs every day and pull them faster than anyone.

Use your brain and respect the road. The wrong placement wastes products, burns your budget, and kills momentum.

How to Order Bandit Signs

Ready to go all in? Good. Here’s what to lock in before you order your bandit signs:

This isn’t about grabbing anything cheap. It’s about maximizing value without wasting time. Every order should push you one step closer to a lead.

Real Estate Wholesale Training

If bandit signs are your introduction to real estate marketing, then wholesaling is the next-level play that turns signs into serious income.

But here’s the deal: signs alone won’t carry your business. You’ve got to master the full strategy — lead gen, seller calls, negotiating, and closing. Every sign you put out is just the start of the funnel. What you do next determines if it’s a lead… or a loss.

Training sharpens the blade. The right systems will show you how to:

You don’t need more info. You need better execution. And that comes from reps, consistency, and knowing this business inside and out.

Bandit signs work. The question is — will you?

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