Offer Strategy Suggestions in this Situation?

[Patrick Hancock]

Hello! 

We get a lot of "what's your offer" from homeowners when searching for off market properties.  What is your strategy in this situation? Do you give them an offer that is close to market value just to get a foot in the door? Do you give them a range and say that you'll need to see the house in person before finalizing an exact offer amount? Any insight and suggestions are much appreciated.  

Thank you in advance, 

Pat

[Joe Villeneuve]

Quote from @Andrew Freed:

@Patrick Hancock - You never give a price first, you always let the owner provide that information. Worse case scenario, you low ball them dramatically to set a really low anchor. Perhaps you start it by saying that you aren't trying to insult them then offer the lowball price. But this is the last case scenario, most times you really want the seller to provide the price and push them. You'd be surprised what people want, sometimes it makes sense just to give them that number. 

I always give my number first, and I don't negotiate.  I either get my number, or I walk away.  If you are afraid to give you number, you're not prepared.  As an investor, you better know what that number is before you make an offer.
For those that think the person who speaks first loses, is wrong.  The first person who said that, said it because they were unprepared.  If you believe that, all you're doing is letting the other person take control by setting the starting point.  The person who speaks first, sets the starting point, and wins, because they are taking control from the start.