Calling buyers - leave a voicemail?

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Calling buyers - leave a voicemail?

Danielle C.
Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes

Hi,

I've pushed off calling buyers long enough. I sourced all of my online ones already via email. So I took the plunge today and called some of the For Rent signs that I located in my farm area.

6 out of 4 were voicemails. I left a message for each one, very general with my name and call back number, however didn't say why I was calling.

When you are contacting buyers and reach a voicemail, do you leave a message?

If you leave a message, is it general or very detailed as to why you are calling? What luck have you had with your method?

Thanks!!
Danielle Cage

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Nick J.
Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y

I don't leave a message. I'll call them back. I want them to answer the phone.

I recently did a video where I cold called buyers from craigslist. Its a shorter video, I got the 2nd guy I called, I didn't leave a voicemail or call the first guy back.

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  • Chris G.
    Real Estate Investor · NowWhere, WI · Member since 2009 · 135 posts · 25 votes
    16y

    I leave a voicemail. Very simple message and move on.

    I usually say "Hello, my name is Chris, I'm calling regarding the property at 1234 Main St with the for rent sign, please call me back. My number is 555-555-555. Again my number is 555-555-5555."

    Once you've got them on the line, try to make it a more like a conversation rather than a questionnaire.

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  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y

    Thanks Chris. Just wanted to make certain I wasn't doing something that would put them off. I suppose it's the same everywhere, however here, it's nearly impossible to reach landlords... voicemails and no return calls. I've known people over the years looking for apts that have really had a tough time getting through to a live person. So hopefully I get a call back.

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  • Nick J.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    I don't leave a message. I'll call them back. I want them to answer the phone.

    I recently did a video where I cold called buyers from craigslist. Its a shorter video, I got the 2nd guy I called, I didn't leave a voicemail or call the first guy back.

    1Reply
  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y

    Nick,

    I saw that video! It was great and I actually used your "script". It was a lot easier to break the ice the way you put it. I've done telemarketing and customer service for years, however there is always something weird about cold calling.

    Thanks a bunch for putting that out there, it really did help :)

    So you say no voicemail and just keep going, huh? I've got a nice spreadsheet that I put together so it keeps things organized very well. (I'm a spreadsheet addict.) I suppose when I get into the big leagues like you I can afford to not try them back. Perhaps I won't leave a voicemail, however I'll do a three strikes and they're out type of thing... try three times then just move them to the no section.

    Thanks for the suggestion.

    Danielle

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  • Nick J.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    oh, I wouldn't suggest not calling them back. I just don't always, sometimes I call them back if I run across their number again.

    If you're dialing for dollars, do more dialing then leaving voicemails.

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  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    16y

    What I have done before works very well. When they answer the phone and you confirm the home is still available you ask them to describe the home. After they have described the home you ask them if they would ever consider selling it. If they say yes you ask them what they would consider selling it for. If they ask you if your a real estate investor say" no, but do I have to be " , this will put the owner at ease. Then schedule a time to get inside and see what you have to work with.

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Robert Mack
    Real Estate Investor · Bergen County, NJ · Member since 2008 · 390 posts · 72 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Curt Davis:
    If they ask you if your a real estate investor say" no, but do I have to be " , this will put the owner at ease. Then schedule a time to get inside and see what you have to work with.

    Is it a good idea to lie though? What about when they find out what your intentions are with the property? Won't you lose a lot of trust with them and any future potential referrals?

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  • Todd Mims
    Real Estate Investor · Atlanta , GA · Member since 2009 · 70 posts · 15 votes
    16y

    Make sure to get them on the phone...you don't have to lie to them, but you don't have to tell them your full intentions, either, if that make since. Why should they care? Are they ready to sell or what...is what they should be concern with.

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  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y

    Nick,

    Funny story... I reached a person today via For Rent sign. He actually owns 47 properties, so I'm thinking this is going to be a buyer. By the end of the convo, he is offering to sell to me! I think I need more work on leading the person I'm calling whe using your tactics. I did turn it around and offer to sell to him... he's going to call me back and we'll discuss further. Not bad. Lol

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  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y

    Curt - thanks for the reply. I am a bit confused as to what you are saying though. I am looking to add buyers to my list... is this something you would do to add a buyer? I can't see how going to the house would help so maybe you thought I was trying to find sellers? :)

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  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    16y

    Part of a landlord training I attended suggested the following, which may be why nobody is answering.

    In order to not discriminate against any possible applicant for a rental, use a 24/7 recording describing the place as you would in any other advertisement, and allow for the caller to leave a message at the end. The "fair housing council" will occasionally be actively "testing" for those who would be discriminatory; the recording is the same for all callers and hence does not discriminate in any way.

    Now the landlord is allowed to select those who get the call returned ...

    Sorry for sidetracking this a bit.

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  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    16y

    Danielle,

    So you are calling For Rent signs hoping to ask the owner if they want to buy more houses? They are most likely wanting to sell the home for rent rather then buy more.

    As to a previous comment, Some landlords get uncomfortable if they think your an investor and your going to try and take advantage of them. Keep in mind your calling the signs where the homes look like they need some work. If you get them on the phone and they feel comfortable with you then it wont matter later when you tell them you buy rental homes.

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Steve Babiak:
    Part of a landlord training I attended suggested the following, which may be why nobody is answering.

    In order to not discriminate against any possible applicant for a rental, use a 24/7 recording describing the place as you would in any other advertisement, and allow for the caller to leave a message at the end. The "fair housing council" will occasionally be actively "testing" for those who would be discriminatory; the recording is the same for all callers and hence does not discriminate in any way.

    Now the landlord is allowed to select those who get the call returned ...

    Sorry for sidetracking this a bit.

    You know Steve, I would aaalmost buy that if there actually were recordings about the properties... however sometimes there isn't even a personal greeting, just an automated voice saying what number you reached. And on those that I left a message for? Still haven't heard from them. You would think, I know this sounds crazy, that someone who owns rental property would actually - wait- want to rent? :D

    Lol, I suppose it's their business, they can run it however they want.

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  • Danielle C.
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Naperville (Chicago), IL · Member since 2010 · 60 posts · 11 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Curt Davis:
    Danielle,

    So you are calling For Rent signs hoping to ask the owner if they want to buy more houses? They are most likely wanting to sell the home for rent rather then buy more.

    As to a previous comment, Some landlords get uncomfortable if they think your an investor and your going to try and take advantage of them. Keep in mind your calling the signs where the homes look like they need some work. If you get them on the phone and they feel comfortable with you then it wont matter later when you tell them you buy rental homes.



    Curt,

    One of my favorite quotes is that there is more than one way to skin a cat... and to get your foot in the REI door, I think you have to know 50 ways to do it. You've just given me another way to get to a buyer! I'd have to say, I would most likely employ this if I found that they purchased multiple properties in the last few years with cash or something that makes them an excellent candidate.

    Thanks for the input - this really is what I love about this site: I would not have found that suggestion anywhere else!

    Danielle

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  • Jeff Warner
    Real Estate Investor · North Central Arkansas · Member since 2009 · 509 posts · 178 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Curt Davis:
    Danielle,

    So you are calling For Rent signs hoping to ask the owner if they want to buy more houses? They are most likely wanting to sell the home for rent rather then buy more.

    Curt,

    I think she is looking for landlords who are listing one of their rentals, not distressed home owners. The goal is to obviously find landlords that want more deals.

    I've never gone that route but I know people on here have had success building a buyers list that way.

    Jeff

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