A terribly managed and under-rented 10 unit building came off market a few month ago. The place is an absolute mess.

While it was listed, the agent was defunct. The description was short, terrible pictures, and non responsive to offers through my agent. However, my agent did get the listing agent on the phone once (while theyvwere moving out of town) and learned that the owner was a dentist who "didn't realize it'd be this much work" and many other negative factors. My multiple offers were with zero response and zero evidence of recipt, because the agent was that bad.

Now that its off market, the mailing address is a very respected and busy dental practice with a good phone nunber.

To approach this seller would you mail them? or call and go through the secretary? I don't want to create shame in front of their staff, but I want to talk to this guy! What would you do?

Christopher,

I would do both. Mail a handwritten envelope/card or even a postcard. Keep mailing every week or so, maybe more frequently. 5-7 days later (after each mailing) follow up with a phone call. If the secretary asks what it's about, you can say it's personal, or it's business related, or you are following up on correspondence from last week. 

You could be a bit sneaky and indicate that you are returning his call on a business matter, and then whoops, must have the wrong person,but you wanted to talk to them anyway (this is a bit risky).  Be persistent but not creepy.

At some point you might want to ask what is a good time to get him directly, or when could you make an appointment to see him about (personal) business. 

If the secretaries mention anything about the 10 unit, then there is your opening. 

Good Luck!

Jim

Make a dental appointment with the seller dentist.

Chat with him while he is examining your teeth.

:)

Give him a call!

You’re going to mail with the intention of setting up a phone conversation. Why not simply skip the mail and go right to the phone conversation!

I agree with Mary completely! Schedule a cleaning and spend $200 bucks sitting in his chair. Build rapport and then buy the property.

Youll be supporting his business and yours.