Cold Calling an Absentee List

[Alan Crookham]

Okay, so I didn’t quite think this through, but I paid for a list of absentee houses in my area thinking it would be a gold mine for getting deals. I’ve spent tons of time driving for dollars, it has been great, and I’ve focused on vacant homes. Thus, having a list of 1,000 absentee homes sounded amazing, save all that time driving. The huge hole here of course is that when I drive for dollars I have pictures and notes of the condition of each house. I’ve never used an absentee list so I don’t even know how accurate it is (even though I’m assured it is very up to date of course), and I also find myself not even knowing what to say to the owner if I cold call. Any suggestions on how to start that conversation? Or should I just do direct mail. It seems to me like calling would be far more effective, but I might be calling for someone’s beautiful summer home and don’t even know it! Thoughts?