Agent calls off my probate marketing but doesn't have this listed - yet

[Christina R.]

In response to a yellow letter I sent, an agent called me stating his/her property was not for sale and immediately started about an estate sale where a property is getting ready to hit the market.  Being as this is my first phone call of this nature I was thrown off somewhat, I know I didn't ask the questions to get to the heart of what this realtor's involvement is . . . looks like s/he wants to see if it can be wholesaled before hitting market.  It's not a listing  . . . yet.  States its a property that "can only be sold to an investor."  I got the basic bed/bath stats, a guesstimate of repairs needed  (which if something won't qualify for financing then it needs way more work that what was suggested on the phone) , and then a price quote that the sellers want.  Right away knew we weren't even close to investor pricing on that figure, which I informed the agent straight away.  There is a (current) mortgage on the property, but agent didn't know that amount.

Instead of checking my own marketing database while on the phone, I subsequently check after hanging up and see that my probate marketing has reached this same estate address.

So ....  the executor has talked with this agent (who may or may not have been directly  marketing to the same niche) . . . .

The executor has not contacted me, but clearly gave my number to this agent.  The agent says this is not a listed property as of yet.   What should my next step(s) be with this potential lead?  What do I need to specifically ask this agent?

Thnx!

[Rick H.]

PR blew you off by having agent call you. A rather obvious way to avoid to talking to you. 

I get unsolicited letters, postcards and the occasional phone call from naive buyers. Trouble for them is, I have a much more sophisticated system for not being reachable than they have for contacting me. 

Despite being played, it did provide you a chance to think through your call response system. Here are a few questions to consider:

Must you answer call in real time?

Will you talk to someone who is not a principal?

Do you have a set of questions to vet sellers? Agents?

What else do you do to qualify sellers before taking any specific action yourself?

Do you use lead sheets?  

To me, there's nothing more frustrating than to answer a phone call and to be unprepared (on my end). If necessary, don't feel compelled to wing it or dig a deeper hole. Just get the basic info and offer to call back when you're better prepared. 

Any contact from someone other than a principal, defined as the person in charge who has the caoacity, powers and authority to sell, is merely an inquiry and should be treated as such.