On the Phone or In Person

[Jerry Gurley]

I am curious what the community thinks about negotiating deals over the phone versus an in person visit.  I typically deal with vacant houses that have been inherited so when I go see the property I typically do not see the seller there.  In our expansion plans for next year I trying to decide if I should hire 1 or 2 experienced sales professionals who are used to handling sale transactions over the phone, building rapport etc.... Or should I focus on 1 to 2 experienced sales people who are used to getting face to face appointments and closing the purchase agreement in person?  The phone seems more efficient but in person seems more effective.  It also seems like over the phone sales people would be less expensive than in person sale professionals.

[Darren Sager]

@Jerry Gurley  since you're purchasing a hard asset I would always see the property first and never purchase from pictures or just over the phone.  That's not investing, it's speculating.  I can't tell you the number of properties that look great from the photos and yet when you pull up you see all the things the camera forgot.    Once you've seen the property you can do a the negotiation over the phone however always go see it first.   That's my personal opinion.