REmail vs PropStream: Direct Mail Automation Comparison

PropStream is the industry standard for property data. If you're a real estate investor, you've probably used it—or at least heard of it. Over 165 million property records, nationwide coverage, skip tracing, comps, and more.

But when it comes to direct mail specifically, PropStream has some significant gaps. Let me break down what PropStream does well, where it falls short on mail, and how most successful investors structure their stack.

Quick Comparison

The key insight: these platforms aren't really competitors—they're complementary. PropStream is for data. REmail is for mail.

What PropStream Does Best

PropStream has earned its reputation as the go-to property data platform. Here's what makes it valuable:

Comprehensive Property Data

PropStream aggregates data from multiple sources:

• MLS records
• County assessor data
• Tax records
• Deed and mortgage records
• Foreclosure filings
• Building permits

This creates one of the most complete property databases available to investors. You can look up virtually any property in the US and get detailed information.

Powerful List Building

The list building features are where PropStream really shines. You can filter by:

Property characteristics:

• Beds, baths, square footage
• Year built, property type
• Lot size, zoning

Owner characteristics:

• Absentee vs. owner-occupied
• Length of ownership
• Corporate vs. individual owner

Distress indicators:

• Pre-foreclosure status
• Tax delinquent
• High equity
• Probate

Market data:

• Estimated value ranges
• Equity percentages
• Days on market (for listed properties)

You can stack multiple criteria to create highly targeted lists—like "absentee owners with 50%+ equity who've owned for 10+ years in pre-foreclosure." That level of targeting is hard to match elsewhere.

Unlimited Skip Tracing

All PropStream subscriptions include unlimited skip tracing. Upload a list, click a button, and get phone numbers and emails appended to your records.

The hit rate is decent (70-80% for phone numbers), and the unlimited model means you're not paying per record. For investors who do a lot of calling, this alone can justify the $99/month subscription.

Comps and Deal Analysis

PropStream includes tools for running comps and analyzing deals:

• Comparable sales (customizable radius and timeframe)
• ARV estimation
• Cash flow calculators
• Rehab cost estimators

This makes it useful beyond just lead generation—you can evaluate deals without leaving the platform.

Where PropStream Falls Short on Direct Mail

Now let's talk about the gaps. PropStream does have a built-in direct mail feature, but it's limited in several important ways:

Limited Mail Formats

PropStream's direct mail is essentially postcard-only. That's a problem because:

• Letters outperform postcards for many list types (especially probate and pre-foreclosure)
• Yellow letters / handwritten mail generate the highest response rates
• Snap packs (folded mailers that look like bills) get opened at high rates

If all you can send is postcards, you're leaving response rate on the table.

Higher Per-Piece Pricing

PropStream charges $0.89+ per postcard. Compare that to dedicated mail platforms:

On a 5,000-piece campaign, that's $1,450 extra with PropStream. At scale, the savings from a dedicated mail platform are substantial.

No Drip Sequences

PropStream's mail feature is one-and-done. You build a list, send a mailer, and that's it.

But effective direct mail requires multiple touches. Most responses come from the 3rd, 4th, or 5th mailer to the same address. Without automated drip sequences, you have to manually re-upload lists and trigger each send.

That's not just tedious—it means you'll likely skip follow-ups and leave deals on the table.

No Triggered / Automated Mail

With PropStream, you pull a list, then manually initiate a mail send. There's no way to set up triggers like "automatically mail new pre-foreclosures within 3 days of filing."

For investors who want true automation—new leads automatically enter a mail sequence without manual intervention—PropStream's mail feature doesn't cut it.

What REmail Does Best

REmail is built specifically for direct mail execution and automation. Here's the focus:

Multiple Mail Formats

Choose the format that fits your campaign:

• Postcards ($0.60): Cost-effective for initial touches and high volume
• Letters ($0.65): Higher response rates, more personal feel
• Snap packs ($0.67): Look like bills, get opened
• Handwritten-style ($0.90): Highest response rates for targeted lists

The right format depends on your list type and campaign goals. Having options matters.

Automated Drip Sequences

Set up a sequence once, and every new address automatically gets the full campaign:

Example sequence:

• Day 0: Postcard introduction
• Day 21: Letter with case study
• Day 42: Different postcard design
• Day 63: Letter with urgency
• Day 84: Final postcard

No manual intervention required. The system handles timing and execution.

Integration-First Architecture

REmail is designed to connect with your data sources:

• Import from PropStream via CSV export
• Connect to PropertyRadar via webhooks
• Integrate with CRMs like REsimpli and Pipedrive

Use the best data source for your needs, then flow that data into REmail for mail execution.

No Monthly Fees

REmail has no subscription. You pay only for what you mail. If you send 1,000 pieces, you pay for 1,000 pieces. If you send nothing for a month, you pay nothing.

For investors who mail seasonally or want to test before scaling, this makes more sense than paying $99/month whether you use it or not.

How Top Investors Use Both

The optimal setup for most investors combines PropStream's data strength with a dedicated mail platform. Here's the workflow:

Step 1: Build Lists in PropStream

Use PropStream's filters to create targeted lists:

• Pre-foreclosure + 40%+ equity
• Absentee owners + 10+ years ownership
• Tax delinquent + high equity
• Vacant properties

PropStream's data depth makes this easy.

Step 2: Skip Trace in PropStream

Since skip tracing is included, run your lists through PropStream's skip trace before exporting. You'll have phone numbers for follow-up calling.

Step 3: Export to REmail

Export your list as CSV and upload to REmail. Map the fields (name, address, property info) to REmail's template variables.

Step 4: Set Up Mail Sequences

In REmail, create your drip sequence:

1. Choose mail formats for each touch
2. Set timing between touches
3. Design your mail pieces
4. Launch the campaign

Step 5: Call and Follow Up

While mail sequences run automatically, use the phone numbers from PropStream's skip trace to call your list. Direct mail + phone follow-up dramatically increases contact rates.

Results

This combined approach gives you:

• Best-in-class data (PropStream)
• Lowest mail costs (dedicated platform)
• Automated sequences (no manual re-sends)
• Multi-channel outreach (mail + phone)

Cost Comparison: Real Numbers

Let's run the math on a typical monthly campaign:

PropStream-Only Approach

PropStream + REmail Approach

Savings: $870/month ($10,440/year)

And that's just postcards. If you want letters or handwritten mail, you can't even do that with PropStream alone.

FAQ

Is PropStream good for direct mail?

PropStream is excellent for building targeted lists but limited for direct mail execution. Their built-in mail feature charges $0.89+ per postcard with no letters, snap packs, or automation. Most investors use PropStream for data and a dedicated platform for mail.

Can I connect PropStream to REmail?

Yes. Export your PropStream lists as CSV and upload to REmail for mail fulfillment. This gives you PropStream's powerful data filtering combined with REmail's lower pricing and automation features.

How much does PropStream direct mail cost?

PropStream charges $0.89+ per postcard through their built-in mail feature. Letters and other formats aren't available. By comparison, REmail charges $0.60 for postcards, $0.65 for letters, and offers automated drip sequences.

Which is better: PropStream or REmail?

They serve different purposes. PropStream is a property data platform (best for lists and skip tracing). REmail is a direct mail platform (best for printing and mailing). Most successful investors use both together.

Do I need PropStream to use REmail?

No. REmail accepts lists from any source—PropStream, PropertyRadar, BatchLeads, or your own data. You can also manually enter addresses or upload any CSV file.

Can REmail do skip tracing?

REmail integrates with skip tracing services but isn't a skip trace provider itself. For skip tracing, use PropStream (included with subscription), Batch Skip Tracing, or other dedicated services.

The Bottom Line

PropStream is great at what it does—property data. REmail is great at what it does—direct mail automation.

Using PropStream's data with REmail's mail execution gives you the best of both worlds: precise targeting and cost-effective, automated mail campaigns.

Already have PropStream? Connect it to REmail →

Need property data? Try PropStream free →