Comments on: Looking for Abandoned Houses? Ask for Steve Johnson http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/12/01/looking-for-abandoned-houses-ask-for-steve-johnson/ Learn, Network, Invest Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:28:09 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Augie http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/12/01/looking-for-abandoned-houses-ask-for-steve-johnson/comment-page-1/#comment-61931 Augie Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:50:22 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=2581#comment-61931 This is a great example of removing an obstacle that would otherwise prevent you from finding a great deal. Here is another idea for when you might try calling from a lead list or if you're doing pre-foreclosure calls to owners who are 2 payments behind. Me: "Hi, this is Augie, I'm looking for a house in the XXXXXXX area and was told you might be looking to sell your house." (this actually works) Guy: "No, I'm not. Where did you get my number?" Me: "I'm sorry, is this 555-1212?" (giving wrong number on purpose) Guy: "No, this is 555-1234." Me: "Oh, I'm sorry, I must have mis-dialed. Sorry to waste your time. Have a great day." Finding tricks like this is a great way to eliminate the fear of looking stupid. Also, in the example above, I've actually had a situation where the person I called has offered up "My house isn't for sale, but if you're looking to buy a house in the area, I know 123 Robin Lane is on the market. The guy's name is John and he's being transferred for work. Do you want his number?" <abbr><em>Augie’s last blog post: <a href="http://intellectualcapitalreport.com/2008/12/01/3-things-to-look-for-in-a-home-inspector/" rel="nofollow">3 Things to Look for in a Home Inspector</a></em></abbr> This is a great example of removing an obstacle that would otherwise prevent you from finding a great deal.

Here is another idea for when you might try calling from a lead list or if you’re doing pre-foreclosure calls to owners who are 2 payments behind.

Me: “Hi, this is Augie, I’m looking for a house in the XXXXXXX area and was told you might be looking to sell your house.” (this actually works)

Guy: “No, I’m not. Where did you get my number?”

Me: “I’m sorry, is this 555-1212?” (giving wrong number on purpose)

Guy: “No, this is 555-1234.”

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry, I must have mis-dialed. Sorry to waste your time. Have a great day.”

Finding tricks like this is a great way to eliminate the fear of looking stupid. Also, in the example above, I’ve actually had a situation where the person I called has offered up “My house isn’t for sale, but if you’re looking to buy a house in the area, I know 123 Robin Lane is on the market. The guy’s name is John and he’s being transferred for work. Do you want his number?”

Augie’s last blog post: 3 Things to Look for in a Home Inspector

]]> By: Joshua Dorkin http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/12/01/looking-for-abandoned-houses-ask-for-steve-johnson/comment-page-1/#comment-61928 Joshua Dorkin Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:49:32 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=2581#comment-61928 Brilliant idea. I was waiting for the payoff and it turned out to be pretty good. Its amazing how something so simple could often times be far from obvious. Nice post, Jim! Brilliant idea. I was waiting for the payoff and it turned out to be pretty good. Its amazing how something so simple could often times be far from obvious. Nice post, Jim!

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