BiggerPockets

IMO, you can't go wrong by going out and meeting with people who have to sell their houses.

By taking the time to go out into these neighborhoods, you leave the competition behind.

Many are fearful of knocking on a stranger's door and the last thing they want to do is start talking about the foreclosure.

Most of the other investors in your market, are mailing out letters, hiding behind the phone and waiting until the Sheriff sale to buy.

Get out in front and beat 'em to the punch with door knocking!

Thank you for the response btw

In my opinion, you time is better spent sending out mailers than knocking on doors. When you get a reply from a mailer, you know the property owner has shown some type of interest. But knocking on doors, you are just "hoping" they will even talk to you.

I definately would hit up the property either way long before the Sheriff sale.

Greg,

You definately want to talk to people before the auction if possible. The best spot to be in is working a short sale where you are the only buyer.

I have a course from Dan Doran (no affiliation BTW) about door knocking that I thought was good, but I never used it since I get good response in my area from letters and bandit signs.

If you have more time than money on your hands I definately would be knocking!