It’s frustrating, but there’s an upside to dealing with the lazy and/or incompetent.
I’ve recently adjusted my approach on the Buyer’s Short List service. It seems like it’s an improvement, although maybe it’s too soon to tell.
The problem with just screening on price is that if something is truly a screaming deal and it gets advertised, it’s not going to be around long. So what comes back in the price screen is generally the sort of thing that’s priced low because you don’t want to own it.
Not always, but mostly.
The real opportunity may be in properties that aren’t advertised at bargain prices, but where the seller might be willing to accept considerably less than asking. For whatever reason.
Those aren’t going to show up in a screen looking for low prices. You have to do some digging.
Which kind of puts us all back where we were before. We all know that 99% of what we see on the market doesn’t fit our needs for one reason or another. But it’s hard to find the needle in the haystack.
I think I’ve found another way to burn the haystack and leave just the needles.
It doesn’t come without frustration. You’d be surprised how many agents seem to think putting something in MLS is most of the job.
I flag something worth checking on and reach out. Ask if there’s a flyer available. Or pictures, or aerials, or anything.
A surprisingly high percentage of the time the answer to all that is no. Followed by some form of “so is your client going to make an offer or what?”
There’s nothing wrong with introducing minimal friction into the process. On my own listings, I generally make it so you have to email or call to get anything above the basics. Because if you don’t create that contact, you’re not capturing info, getting feedback, etc. All of which helps down the line.
But there’s a difference between strategically requiring minimal effort and not doing all you can to facilitate selling the property. I mean, if I can put together more info in 20 minutes than your agent has when I reach out, what good are they to you?
Anyway, enough complaining. I have (other people’s) research to do.
And that’s really the point. Somebody has to do it. Most investors don’t have the time or inclination to chase down information on dozens of properties just to find one that’s worth a closer look.
That’s what the Buyer’s Short List is for.
If you’re an investor and could benefit from someone filtering out the junk and locating opportunities others aren’t seeing, Buyer’s Short List is for you.
There’s currently no charge, you don’t have to be my client to be on the list, and you don’t have to buy anything.
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