About to go door knocking....

[Luka Milicevic]

I'm in a very hot market and everyone is doing direct mail. I want to stand out and I'm actually going to knock on a few doors.

My problem is....

I have no idea what to say when they open the door. 

I've been thinking and I don't just want to show up and get straight to asking them if they want to sell me their property. 

Any guidelines would be greatly appreciated!

[Eugene Beard]

1st  Post!....

Anyway take my opinion with a grain of salt cuz I have never done door knocking(but I have walked up to strangers seeing information about a neighborhood) so Im excited to see your responses and to see how close I am to being correct! THAT being said, from what I have read. You obviously start with"hello" and a smile, your name, or "Im sorry to bother you," *if they have a mean face on. I say, 

"I was looking at buying/renting in this area and wanted to see if you knew anything that might be able to help me?"

or you can say variations like...

"see if you know about this neighborhood. do you live here or near here?"

I always try to start with a few yes or no answers to get them comfortable(warmed-up). I try to gauge how they respond to the questions. if they are more standoffish I keep yes and no questions going until they get annoyed and thank them for their time. If I get more than one-word answers on yes or no they are open to speaking with me. Like..

" yes i stay right down the street" "yes I live nearby" or " yes what would u like to know?"

I do open ended questions then. "How is the crime activity here? " "are neighbors nice/friendly/ wave at you when u walk by?" "what going on with the houses at the front of the neighborhood?" "how do you like the neighborhood/area?"

So just what I do. So more specific to you. I would open with Im not selling anything. Just be honest with who you are and your intentions. Im a local investor looking in your area for possible locations I may be able to buy.(Unless you already know they are in foreclosure or in that case you would be more direct and say,

"I am a local investor and I do research on properties in my area(try not to say anything negative like getting foreclosed on default etc.). Your property has recently  come across my findings and I wanted to introduce myself. I know this may be a little weird and uncomfortable but if its okay with you I'd like to talk to you about helping you in any way that I can so that(variations here) A) you dont lose your home b) dont get hit with a credit ding. c) whats your situation?" d) dont have to fight the banks alone!" ,etc. 

from there you will either get a door slam(im assuming) or a okay, or a explanation a little. I would always give my card( or flyer) at this point in time so they are reading it to know that  your are professional and you may  actually be able to help.

Even if they say no thanks or door slam always thank them for thier time....well maybe not for the door slam lol.

good luck.

Let me know how accurate I was.