Hesitant but Interested Sellers

[Robert Shoffner]

I've run into this many times over the years as many of you probably have.  

The basic scenario runs like this:  seller gets a marketing piece, or goes to your website, or whatever, then speaks to you after passing through all the hoops set up to weed out the unmotivated.   They want to meet to show you the house, but then claim they are not ready to sell or want to 'think about it,' or won't name a price (act like they just don't know), etc.  

Anyone who contacts us about selling their house will eventually sell it; just like when a person goes to a car lot, they do want to buy car (same concept---they are 'in the market' so to speak).  

What tips/suggestions does anyone have that they recommend be used to move the seller past this mental roadblock to signing a contract and at least getting the ball rolling towards a closing?