John whether you realize it or not the delivery of what you are saying on the phone and pitch is just as important as the words themselves.You need to practice tone on the phone and video tape yourself giving a presentation in the house.I did this work years ago and now it is natural for me to talk on the phone and meet people in person.It flows now and is not forced.With anything in the beginning you will be really rough at it.Listen for key words on the phone for high motivation.Job loss,divorce,death,sick family,facing foreclosure,having babies and need more space,selling to free up capital,job transfer,getting married,executor of an estate,out of state investor etc.etc.Low motivation:1.Just seeing what the market will bear2.Waiting for my price 3.Need XXX to pay my bills4.Need larger house if I can get XX for thisand on and onEventually they might have life circumstances that change them to motivated but today they are not.Stay in contact because you never know.

They are natural negotiators, and many of them would prefer to give you nothing if you will accept it.

Pay down your mortgage as normal for a few years and then due to forced or natural appreciation refi on your equity to buy more leveraged property and have more tax writeoffs and Larger mortgage interest write off...Stole this one from rich to be fair, but I like it if it will ever be possible again in our tight lending economy...2.

I'm familiar with the product to the extent that I need to be, but am not familiar enough to provide adequate customer service.

Natural disasters do happen, markets can and do change so what are your suggestions?

Over time people can opt out and the list will evolve naturally.

To me, its just smart business to use my understanding of human nature to my benefit.

I think you may be interested in reading JTR's thoughts on the matter here:The nature of investment by John T.

If mother nature or man's evil nature (war, riot, etc...) destroys it all, we just do it again.

My wife and I have plenty of drive, a humble interest in learning, and adequate renovation know-how, but lack a high salary.If you all were in my situation, with the above goal, what approach would you take?