Doug Pretorius (ON)

This is going to be a sandwich LO? If so the seller shouldn't really be involved because she already has her deal with you. As for YOUR deal with the T/B, you should get them to do the repairs before they move in. You can sign the agreement so they know you're committed, but the agreement would be contingent on them completing repairs to your satisfaction before they are given possession.

Still waiting...

Steve, that would seem to fall under 'investor'. But it does have a nice ring to it.

Canadians have become less cynical than Americans? Say it ain't so!

You know, the funny thing is...with buyers I'm just Doug. I've only ever been asked once what my role was in the transaction and I just said: "Oh I'm the manager." and that was it. But with sellers it always comes up usually with these objections: Property Manager: "Why don't I just do it myself and not pay you?" Consultant: "Why don't I just do it myself and not pay you?" Investor: "What kind of investor are you if you don't buy houses cash?" Buyer: "What do you mean you're not going to be the one living in the house?"

You could ask the agent if the seller would be interested in renting the house to you. Or you could work with agents who actually list rentals. But you'll have to find a way to get to the owner so you can turn it into a lease option. I've had agents tell me they do rentals but will not present rent to own...I was like: "Wha...?" Don't argue, don't educate, just carry on.

As long as they feel so sorry they want to sign, I'm OK with that

I find there's very little rhyme or reason to this business. Sellers who you think should be very interested, more often than not aren't. I can't tell you how many times I've talked to the owner of a vacant home who said right in their ad: "Willing to rent, rent to own, or sell" and I cannot get a deal. While other people who are living in the home in question, can't wait for me to come over and sign the papers. It's bizarre. But just reminds me never to prejudge.

MC, I asked just for a fav, doesn't have to be your only approach

I tried something new this week. When I got that skeptical "what's this all about?" kind of response I replied with: "I don't have a sales pitch or anything!" and laughed. That totally disarmed them, worked great, and they immediately moved toward me with comments like: "Oh do you mean like holding the mortgage?" It worked about a million times better than just flat out saying: "This is what a lease purchase is..." because that would just make me look like a know it all.

Wow! I don't know if it's the way I'm talking to them or market conditions but sellers are being extremely nice, thankful even if not interested, and respectful. One seller even called me "sir"! Anyone else noticing this? Who knew sellers could be real sweethearts when cold called? LOL

If I thought I could handle those hot blooded 'bama girls, I would Jason

I face the same issue with sellers. With buyers I don't have a problem, I handle it exactly as you describe... I've only got this house and I'm getting 100s of calls a week, so you have to move if you want it. Presenting it in such a way that there are hundreds or thousands of sellers and you can only help a few each month is obviously the way we want to go about it. But I find it's one thing to think it and quite another to actually apply it.

I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone's preferred angle is when approaching sellers.

I do have an email and PM box if you guys ever want to say hi

I don't do voice blasts or post-its. For cold calling I still get about 25% of FSBOs who are open to renting.

Find me some sellers in Kitchener-Waterloo please The T/Bs are still a dime a dozen around here.

You don't. This is an issue I've struggled with throughout my years of investing. But the truth is, it's not our job to 'convince' and the moment we allow ourselves to fall into that trap, we give all the power to the seller. Repeat that...It's not my job to convince. So what is our job? To make offers. "This is what I have to offer, do you want it?" A simple yes or no so you can move on to the next step or the next lead. That's it. Try as I might in 9 years I've never convinced a single seller or buyer to do anything. If they say anything other than "YES" to your qualifying question then you have to cut them loose quickly but politely. This whole business of educating them, convincing them, talking them into doing a deal...is a waste of time IMO.

How about long distance SLOs MC, ever done those? I have had long distance LOs before but I went there to set them up and I owned the property myself.

What do your post-its look like? Are they like an ad or do they look like a hand-written note "Hey I'd like to buy your house" sort of thing?

Interesting. I've never done it myself, but door knocking is a tried and true method of drumming up business. I have considered doing this on a regular basis at a few townhouse complexes. That's exactly how many realtors become the 'neighborhood expert'. Why not become the neighborhood house buyer?

Dion, are those questions from your seller or their lawyer? If a seller asked me all of that I'd say: "Wow you know more than me, when is your book coming out?" I'm guessing he's getting most of this from you, in which case, you are totally overloading your sellers with too much information. They really only need to know a handful of things: 1. Rent amount 2. NET price 3. Length of lease 4. Where to sign

Have you heard of for sale signs? I hear realtors use them all the time

You know what...I think that's perfectly reasonable an legitimate. From now on if ANYONE doesn't trust me and respect my experience enough to believe that I'm telling them the truth and looking out for their interests as well as my own...forgetaboutit.

Like MC said. ...or you could do what realtors and car dealers and...well EVERYONE does. Throw the contract and a pen at them and say: "Sign here, here and here."