If anything, understanding the retail side of the industry adds to your credibility and I haven't found it to be a liability at all.This has been my experience as well...The big downside you'll find is that there are restrictions on how you can market -- for example, it's unlikely you'll legally be allowed to send letters that only say, "I want to buy your house...call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx!"

Please call me even you're not interested in selling.Best regards,MaxXXX-XXX-XXXX"I sent out 1,700 of these to absentee owner, to which I received about 125 calls, and didn't close on one deal.

-Julie (xxx)xxx-xxxx"I am hiring my teenage daughter and her friends to help me distribute.I could also follow up again with free pencils given to kids through the schools, just an idea.What are your thoughts on this?

XXX number of people needing to rent.

I suggest, though, that nobody will walk away having learned anything substantial without "coming to my weekend seminar for $x,xxx..."

Or even worst fog the place and tell them that that can't be in the dwelling for xxx# hours.

These can often be purchased by a sealed bid accepted by the "delinquent tax board" which will authorize the sale for a lower amount than the "starting bid" after it has been advertised that a bid has been recieved for XXX number of days in the legal section of the local paper.

@Nicola HarveyCongratulations, XXX and welcome.Good luck.

_____Secondly, here is the life of a typical realtor.List a $xxx,xxx home for sale.

Agreeing with the others: get her to sign papers saying she's vacating on XXX date, you can do limited showings to rent the place and keep part of her deposit to cover the lost rent.