Qualifying questions

[Norm Chrostowski]

I have been getting calls from my ads and mailers. While this is good, I can't help wonder if alot of these are a waste of time to even go look at. I mean, you can certainly get an idea of one's motivation by asking certain questions. But I don't want to be a D#@K, and just tell them flat out "I can't make any money with your property sir/maam". (I would never say that by the way, I have SOME phone/people skills) Who knows, they might know someone else looking to sell, and I don't want to burn that bridge.

My question is: Are there certain question you can ask right on the phone that will "qualify" these sellers? Tactfully of course. And if you don't like what your hearing, just politely tell them "your property doesn't fit our criteria...sorry". Or something along those lines.

Again, phone is starting to ring, and I've looked at, at least 30 properties in the last two weeks, and made offers on 3. I just don't want to be driving all over the place to look at something that's probably not going to work out. But I guess in my head I'm thinking "a lead is a lead, and you never know? I would really like to get this narrowed down over the phone to save some leg-work.

I've had calls from people who just listed or re-listed with an agent. Would you go see these? I've had several of these.

I don't want to sound like an idiot, I certainly know how to conversate. Just trying to refine my craft, if you will.

Thanks in advance for all replies.