All Forum Posts by: Chris Pohlson

@Kevin Fox, I appreciate the encouragement.  I'm just trying to work smarter!

@Michael Quarles I didn't mean to imply you don't know what you're doing.  Your website is exactly what I was looking for.  

@Neal Collins thanks for the response.  I would agree reading from a script would be even more painful than the um's and uh's I'm currently dealing with.  Love the tips on framing the call and asking if they've enjoyed owning the place.

@Brent Hill that would be really cool.  I've never used Evernote but I just downloaded it.  Let me know how to connect using it.  I really appreciate you pointing me in the direction of that podcast.

Thanks for the help, @Brent Hill.

@Michael Quarles, I'll pick through your site and try to find podcasts and live call examples.  If you have any specific links, feel free to pm me.  I appreciate the responses.

Thanks for your prompt responses!  

@Ryan Dossey  Would you elaborate, please?  

I'm getting some decent responses with my direct mail marketing but I'm falling flat on the phone. I'm realizing I need a good elevator pitch describing what I do and how I can help the person with whom I'm speaking.  Here's a sample of a conversation I had this morning with a really nice older gentleman:

Him: I'm responding to a letter you sent me regarding my property at 123 Main St.

Me:  Oh uh...what address was that again?

Him: 123 Main St.

Me: Oh yes!  I...um...was in your neighborhood the other day and was...um... interested in that property.  I'm a real estate investor and I pay cash for homes that are in need of repair.

Him: Ok.  Well that property is actually in pretty good shape.  It's got 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1900 sq ft, etc...

Me: Ok do you currently have it rented? (absentee owner)

Him: Yes, a nice family rents it that has always paid the rent.

Me: Do you think they would let me inside to look at the property?

...It went on from there and I got through it but it was kind of painful.  We left it that he would talk to his wife on a price they're looking for and call me back.  Not only did I insult him by telling him his property had fallen into disrepair when he thought it was in good condition, I also didn't do a very good job building rapport in general.

I'm wondering if any other experienced investors or wholesalers have had similar experiences when they were starting out.  Can anyone give examples of elevator pitches they provide to potential sellers?  I'm sure all the other new investors out there would appreciate the advice as much as I will.

Thanks!

@William Hochstedler Thank you for the response and the links.  It really helps.

Specifically I'm looking for information on the pros and cons of the loan modification process.  I sent my first direct mail piece to a home owner that is in pre-foreclosure.  She called me today and was interested in what I could offer but had already started working on a loan modification.  I feel like I could have provided her more value if I was able to compare the loan modification process with what a cash buyer could offer.  Being new and unfamiliar with loan modifications, I'd say my pitch fell flat.  Her ultimate goal was to try to keep the home so we left it for her to call me if the loan mod process fell through.

I was hoping some nice BP'ers could help expand my knowledge of loan modifications or direct me to a resource or two so I can be better informed for next time it comes up.  Thanks!

Thanks for posting, @Bill Gulley.  You look like you have some serious credentials.  I read your blog post, "Wholesaling as a business" part 1 and 2 on your website.  Good stuff.  Spoken like a true examiner.  Others here should go to your website and read it.