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Door Knocking - Is it A Part Of Your Prospecting Plan?

Recently, I talked about the possibility of adding another hour a day of phone prospecting to my schedule. I've decided against that plan and will, instead, add an hour of door knocking. One of my managers calls it returning the real estate business of 80 years ago and, perhaps that's right but, it seems like a logical next step on the prospecting progression.

Here's how I see it; most of my prospecting calls are made in the hopes of getting a face to face with a potential client. Door knocking eliminates the middle step of making the appointment. I've already got face time and an opportunity to present my marketing materials; even if it is a casual conversation as opposed to a full blown listing appointment.

Right now, I am preparing the proper marketing package for door knocks. I plan to start working a neighborhood next week.

I wodner how many of you are doing nay door knocking now or have done so in ht epast and if you could share some stories of successes, trials and/or anecdotes.

Thanks,

Andy

Andy Raffle sells Bucks County Real Estate. Check out my website for Yardley homes and information, search for properties, read my informative Real Estate Articles and read my Bucks County Real Estate Blog

Andy Raffle

www.askAndyRaffle.com

Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors

70 West Afton Avenue

Yardley PA 19067

215.493.9080x130

Posted by Andy Raffle, Yardley, PA Real Estate on 10/10/2008 10:08 AM

Comments (18)

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18 Comments on Door Knocking - Is it A Part Of Your Prospecting Plan?

OCT

2008

What a concept, going back to basics. I agree it may be a great idea. I have another sales business which I will try that method soon. I think our neighbors may be inclined to work with or buy from a friendly face then an anonymous name in a phone book. Thanks for reminding me how much we forget.

Happy Friday!!

Lori Isaaccson

Andy- Whatever floats your boat! I don't even leave my home office anymore, all my prospecting is done on line and through direct mail. By the time the seller calls us they are asking us to list their home, no competition, no listing presentations and commission rate is higher than what is normal, which is what we can not say here on the rain:) Highest and best use of our time is what is considered the most in deciding on any marketing plan. Money we can make anytime, time can never be replaced. I save time by not having to get dressed up and putting make up on, etc. Our AR blog generates 2 listings a week for us, I doubt I would ever get that many listings knocking on doors each week!

Happy Friday!!

Lori Isaaccson

10/10/2008 10:19 AM

by Lori Isaacson (Credit Restoration Consultants)

Delete Report as Spam

Let us know how it goes, Lori. What's the other business???

10/10/2008 10:22 AM

by Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.)

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Wow, 104 listings a year just from THIS source, that's great! Are they all on your website?

How about you come door knock with me in August here in Orlando and you let me know if it's part of your plan :) I did it a few times and would never do it again. Not for me, but sure for some it works.

10/10/2008 10:37 AM

by Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Agent, First Time Home Buyers & Luxury Homes (RE/MAX Central Realty)

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I won;t even knock here in August. I just mentioned that to a friend this morning. The weather now is beautiful and I'm ready to go. Your negativity will not disuade me ;)

Andy- We just started to garner 2 listings a week starting in March so it has not reached 104 listings yet! About 38 of our listings are on our website. Our assistant is trying to get them all on the website. I am lagging on taking care of our website since I get so much business from our AR blog, no outside blog, just AR, that I spend my time here, it works!

OCT

2008

It is time to get back to the basics. I have to admit that I will probably not go doorknocking though. I've built my business on referrals and have done well with it. It's harder to garner business from people I do not know, but that is because that is just my style. I know door knocking works great for others. I think it's a great thing to do when you list a property and meet the neighbors. When the house sells, they will have a realtor that sticks out in their mind.

Michele Reneau, CRS, ABR, GRI ~ Charleston, SC Relocation Expert

OCT

2008

I agree that it's difficult Michele and I don't plan on using door knocking for 100% of my prospecting but, I will add it to the mix. Just as I do cold calling, SOI calling and past client calling. It's good to have a mix.

OCT

2008

Hey Andy: I do door knocking for short sales. Most of the people are tired and frustrated. They do not know where to turn.

I knock and get INSTANT listings. Just a thought. I send 3 mailers to people and get no response. My latest short sale has a VW van. My husband wants to buy it and letter it up. This will be my short sale car! If he can find a way to make it run on vegtable oil....will that make me a true hippie !?!

You sound pretty "Hip" to me, Katie. Front door presence is typicaly the oNLY way ot do short sales. I worked that market YEARS ago but, with all the traffic today, it's become less productive in this area.

Andy: Nobdoy does it here! I am their saving grace.

OCT

2008

Andy,

Linda Tremblay and I are doing it in Upper Bucks! Face To Face Is Great and We are ready to take over the community in this not so hot market. Good Luck To You!

OCT

2008

Andy!

Man, how timely, I am so glad to hear you are doing this. I've been preparing for the exact same thing and feel like I'm in uncharted territory. Not many resources online about this, and those that I do find, not many folks sound really upbeat about it. Oh well.

I think you and I are in a similar situation. I expect to be door knocking within 2 weeks. I've spent the last 6 weeks putting my marketing materials, esentially my listing marketing plan, together. Ordered Bill Nasby's "Effective Prospecting" which leads you through his successes in door knocking and the script he uses. Amazing stuff. I need to listen to the set another time or two, other than that, time to head out and walk some neighborhoods. I can't stand talking on the phone, would much rather be face to face with someone.

Nasby's take is that for every 50 people you get face-to-face with, you'll close 1 transaction. Best time of day to door knock is from 5 - 6:30pm when folks are at home cooking dinner. That time period doesn't work for me as my wife works nights and I have a baby at home by myself after 4:30pm. C'est la Vie, I'll find a different time. During a different time of day I might have to hit two or three times as many doors to get the same contacts, but that's fine.

For Nasby, it is a numbers game, which I like. Business isn't exactly flocking to my desk, might as well go out and find it. Suck it up and do it. His take is to remember it is a numbers game, give it 3+ months to mature and pan out, and don't give up before your efforts have had a chance to take hold.

I suppose this is a rough time of year to get started, but you and I will get a jump on the spring selling season by generating leads now. Lucky for me the weather in Spokane is usually sunny, snowy or both, not much rain, so I might as well go for a walk and see what happens.

I'm 32 and since I can remember, I've never ever ever had an agent knock on my door, my parents door, etc. I don't know why door knocking isn't very popular. I guess I'll find out in about 2 weeks!

I hope to give you a call in a few weeks with some success, and battle, stories, and to find out how things are working for you. I'd like to trade ideas about what has worked and what hasn't, I'll put your number in Outlook and give you a call in a few weeks.

Thanks Andy,

Aaron

NOV

2008

Hi there,

I currently prospect expireds, fsbo's, past clients put like am going to add door knocking to my prospecting. I have done it in the past and gotten listings out of it. I have found an area in town that turns over 10% of the homes there. An area that has 1400 homes and has app. 130 listings per year there. I am mailing a postcard once a month to this area and will now start door knocking the area. I don't think any Realtors do this. I have lived in the same house for 10 years and have never had a Realtor come to my door. Anyway, I think it's a great way to add yet another way to get listings. Good luck with it.

NOV

2008

So glad to hear you are doing this...I've been planning the same and am heading out tomorrow to give it a try. I agree with Aaron its a numbers game. Have you had any luck?

NOV

2008

Door Knocking... I do it for expired listings. I find it works. But for prospecting a farm, no. We do alot of personal marketing in the farm areas as well, like pumpkin decorating contests, food drives, etc.

GOod luck as always

Don

APR

You state that you are making a marketing package, what are you including in it. I am looking at door to door prospecting. I like it better than the phone.

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