What does a motivated seller sound like? Pre-screening

[Jose Diaz]

Hello to all. I wanted to know how you all specifically pre-screen sellers? How do you decide to make or not make an appointment to meet? What do you need to hear from them to know they are motivated? 

I would appreciate specific answers, although I do know that we live in a relative world. 

[Dev Horn]

I completely agree with some of my favorite posters here such as Mr. Q.  But I would like to share perhaps a different PERSPECTIVE on this:

If all you are doing is wholesaling or cash purchase FLIPS, then everything above is the Gospel for that.

But here's the problem - wholesaling is NOT a viable business opportunity in most major markets because the cost of a lead is too high.  It can easily cost $100 per call in a major metro.  Wholesaling - using the narrow question set above - will work for about 1 in 20 leads.  In a tight market, a wholesaler might only be able to mark up a deal $2,000.  20 calls at $100 = $2,000 - so what has the "wholesaler" made?  ZILCH.  You're busy, but you are making NO MONEY.

In the market we're in today, you need to have MULTIPLE WAYS to monetize a lead.  For example - lease options, which are really as easy if not easier than wholesaling and can be more lucrative.  Well, those questions above are 100% WRONG for lease option leads.  How about listings?  If you can't list the house, partner with an agent until you can, so you can sell those leads to your partner.

Your leads are a rare and valuable raw commodity.  The goal of your business should be to MONETIZE EVERY CALL/LEAD if possible.

I like wholesaling but I just don't think it's a business.  It's one product on your shelf - if you have different products that fit different needs, then you'd become more of a "solution provider" than a "flipper", more of a consultant than just another guys offering "fast cash as-is!".  We have WAAAAAAY to many of those guys in the market right now.  The future will not be kind to businesses with only one product on their shelf.

“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” ~ Max DePree