Buying REOs Before They Are Listed

[Jonathan C.]

I've made contact with some property preservation companies that do work for REOs before they get listed on the MLS. I am able to get the property address and the name of the listing agent.

My question is- what should you say to the listing agent to give you the best chance of buying the property before it gets listed? Anyone have experience getting leads this way and contacting REO agents about specific properties prior to them being listed?

Thanks, Jon