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Door Knocking for Real Estate...

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

Alright.  I admit it.  It has been quite a while since I have door knocked.  But I did it for about three months in February, March, and April of last year.

There was a riduculous cold spell last February.  Temps were under 20 degrees for two weeks straight.  My coldest evening was 6 degrees.  Brrrr.

I would begin knocking at 5 o'clock.  I would knock till I spoke with 10 people at their doors.  The reception was suprisingly positive.  In the rare cases someone was mean, that was OK.  It still counted towards my 10.

It would usually take 40 to 45 minutes to get finished.  I did it 4 times per week.  If I missed an evening, I could make it up on the weekend.  Mornings are great on the weekends for door knocking.

I would print out a basic CMA (market analysis) and staple my business card to them.  I carried ten along with a notebook to write down the contact info.

Everyone I spoke with (even the door slammers) would get a hand written card sent to them as follow up.

It worked.  I got lots of leads.  I still have those leads in my database.  They have been a little stubborn about moving (such is the market), but they will eventually. 

I will be ready to help them when they do.

My script?  Real simple:

"Hello.  My name is Ken Tracy.  I am a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty.  I market your neighborhood very effectively.  The reason I am out this evening is that I am looking for people moving in two years or less so that I can go to work for them."

For those that would say yes.  I would get all of their contact info (especially the email), and set them up with an internet search of their neighborhood.

Pick your neighborhood carefully.  They are not all the same.

I found townhomes the best to work with.  Easy door knocking (no long driveways) and a much more transient demographic generally.

Good luck and happy prospecting,

Ken

Check out my Naperville Real Estate site to find your next home.

Comments(35)

Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Suzanne and John.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Face to face is preferred.  Harder.  More time consuming.  But the best.

Ken

Jul 12, 2008 09:59 AM
Anonymous
Not Yet Licensed

The reception was suprisingly positive. 

Hey Ken,

Don't be surprised.  If your market is anything like ours, you might not have much competition from other agents.  You have a friendly, helpful manner about you.  I expect you will continue to have a positive reception when you start door knocking again.  You're probably a natural.

Jul 12, 2008 11:52 AM
#17
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi NYL.  Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.

Ken

Jul 12, 2008 02:24 PM
Harold "Hal" Place
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Morning Ken,

In person contact is always the best. Knocking works well in some areas and not so well in others. We would be ousted if we knocked in our market area. So we do trade fairs and the like. That works for us.

Jul 13, 2008 12:31 AM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

I love taking the initiative to get your name out there.  Takes courage and passion and Im sure within 2 years or less, you will see the results !

Jul 13, 2008 12:59 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Hal, Christopher, and Stephanie.  Thanks for stopping by.

It's Sunday AM.  We are going this morning to hang fliers on another farm area.

Ken

Jul 13, 2008 03:02 AM
Anonymous
Marlando

THanks for the encourgaement and input..

Jan 29, 2009 04:14 AM
#22
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Marlando.  Your welcome.

Thanks for reading my post!

Ken

Jan 29, 2009 05:24 AM
Joe Roy
HomeBased Realty - Palmdale, CA

Door knocking is the best.  Exercise and free leads.  Gotta love it.  

Apr 29, 2009 06:59 PM
Wendy Rich-Soto, Realtor/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, LA Harbor - San Pedro, CA
Getting you to your next with a zero failure rate!

Ken,

 

I walked for the first time today door knocking.  It was an awkward start but I was proud of myself. I am going to continue!  Thank you for your post!!

 

Wendy

Feb 17, 2010 01:38 PM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Wendy.

I am proud of you!  Keep it up and you will have a record year...

Thanks for reading,

Ken

Feb 18, 2010 07:03 AM
Anonymous
susan

What a great blog. Am a relatively new agent and I didn't realize there were so many POSITIVE, kind hearted realtors out there. Thanks for the great info.

Mar 04, 2010 01:01 PM
#27
Michael Truiano
BHG Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY

Hi Ken,

I know this is an old post but i just read it.  I have been door knocking for the last 6 weeks or so and i have been able to generate about a dozen people who have some sort of interest in moving.  But I am getting stuck there. Would you be kind enough to share how you follow up with people who have expressed an interest.  Mail? phone calls? a second visit? A bunch of the people I meet during the days are retirees who dont use email.   And when do you feel is appropriate to make the next contact for someone  who "is starting to think about it"?  a week? two weeks? a month?  sorry for all the questions, but i could use all the help i can get!

May 19, 2010 03:01 PM
Stanley Stepak
Howard Hanna - Avon Lake, OH - Avon Lake, OH
Realtor - Avon Lake, Avon, Bay Village, Westlake,

great post you will have me giving it a try 

Nov 16, 2010 02:33 PM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Susan, Michael, and Stan.  Thanks!

I think it is an important topic...

Michael, I didn't knock during the day.  I was knocking when they were getting ready for dinner.  Some might think rude.  I thought effective...

Anyone who expressed interest, I would set up with an email search.  One for their neighborhood, another for homes they might be interested in...

I sent them a hand written note the following day.  I would also set up email searches.  Other than that, I let them contact me...

Thanks again everyone!

Ken

Nov 18, 2010 11:51 AM
Jillian Lopez
Remax - San Diego, CA

This post for sure motivates me to get out there more often and to get away from the computer....Wait !! I am at the computer now. I better get out there.

 

Mar 23, 2011 11:24 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Jillian.  I hope it does!

Good luck...

Ken

Mar 24, 2011 03:20 PM
Anonymous
Agnes Tabor

Ken,

Great post, I am a believer in the face to face but have not yet been effective. A am in Naples Florida, we have what is recognized as a "season"; a time when folks from up north converge to enjoy our winter weather. My campaigns usually begin mid to end of October, your post will get be moving again.

Aug 06, 2011 01:48 PM
#33
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

thank you very much for the informative and interesting post. I get so much out of the active rain network.

Mar 14, 2012 01:26 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Agnes and Paul.  Thanks for reading!

This is an old post.  I have a much newer series!!!

Thanks again!

Ken

Mar 14, 2012 03:27 AM