Got a referral yesterday via email. I am posting it as it shows how much this is a people business and less about bricks and mortar.

Hello Ray,

Received your payment. One of my customers husband past away and she moved back home with the kids. The house is for sale, not sure what she is asking or the condition of the home but thought you might be interested. 11118 Charles St.

My reply - taking steps moving the obstacle (realtor) out of the way.

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Thanks for thinking about me.

I am not a huge fan of buying directly off the MLS. It isn't that I am anti-realtor. Most people don't really know what the 13 to16 page offer actually says. Instead that paperwork is more focused about limiting realtor and broker liability and paying commissions.

We can routinely pay more than list price depending on if they are willing to give us terms. We can also offer cash prices as well which can be a better route if the material condition is suspect. Charles is a good location as we have owned a couple of places in that small little neighborhood before. I am not sure why this place isn't selling; the market is solid still but I suspect it will continue to slow as interest rates continue to rise.

Please give her my number and let her know how we do on paying our bills if you would like. I am in problem solving business and just specialize in real estate. I will gladly help her where and how I can. Realtors can get bent out of shape if I reach out to a seller directly and they think I am trying to scam them out of a commission somehow.

Instead, I am here only to help. That alone should speak why I am not a huge fan of dealing with many realtors - are they truly helping out the seller if they get upset about me asking why such a nice house isn't selling? On a different level, I want to understand the sellers why - and I am sorry to hear about her husband. How long were they married? Relocation, especially out of state can be such a hassle.

As always, if I buy any place that I hear from a referral, I pay the person giving them a bonus and a gift card to a restaurant.

Good hearing from you.

Ray

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Seems that your process has worked out nicely.

Excellent!

Why not when renting?

I’ll politely disagree.

When good tenants refer someone they are also often decent. My experience would indicate this to be true. When tenants I don’t particularly like ask then I don’t have any vacancies. If it’s in the same building usually the person is filtered out.

Unless a tenant is recommending their best friend, they really don't know what their recommendation is like as a tenant. They ASSUME (we know what that means) that because they are friends that they would also be responsible rent-paying residents. This is often not true at all - their friends and family turn out to be really ... not like them ... when it comes to paying bills and credit control.

I see. We were talking about different things.

In my eyes, any part of the sales puzzle is about relationships.