Probate properties, and how to buy them?

[Lance Barnett]

I have been working the probates hard the Seattle, Washington area now for 3 months with no success. I don't expect overnight success, but I wouldn't turn it down either. In 3 months I have got 2 calls. Both were to tell me they were not going to sell the house and to stop sending them letters. One asked how I found out about the probate and found him. I politely informed him that it was public record, thanked him for letting know the house was not for sale, and apoligized for bothering him. I have a system of 5 mailers, consisting of 3 letters, 1 handwritten letter, and a postcard. I was sold the idea that probate were like fishing in a barrel, an uptapped market. I may be fishing in a barrel, but it seems like there's no fish in it. Are probates a rare species, maybe there is a lot of competion, what is it? I would love to hear from successful and unsuccessful probate investors? Please.