Script for Calling a Realtor about Rent-to-Own and Lease Options

Script for Calling a Realtor about Rent-to-Own and Lease Options

Once you have the agent on the phone, here is what I usually say:

“Hi __________ (the agent’s name), my name is

___________ (your name) and I was calling about

the home you have listed at ___________ (the street address).

Is it still available?

After they say, “Yes it is,” I would say,

“Can you tell me more about the home?  How much is it

and how large is it?”

Listen to see if it is something you would be interested in.

If so, follow up with:

“I noticed it has been listed for a while”…

(Assuming it has been listed for more than four

months).

Wait and see what they say without saying anything else.  They might say, “Yes…” and I would go on to the next question, or they might start to talk more – which is what I am hoping they will do.  I want them to start to talk and tell me more.  Maybe they will tell me why it has been listed a long time or what the status is.  You would be amazed at what others will tell you when you zip it and listen.  My next question is:

“Well, I wondered if the sellers would be open to something creative.”

Again, I leave it at that and say nothing more.  Sometimes they

will volunteer a long explanation of what the seller will or will

not do or sometimes they say, “Like what?”

“Well, something like a rent-to-own or a lease option.  I am

a rent-to-own buyer looking for a home in this area.  Would

your seller be open to something like that?”

Don’t say anything until they respond.  You’ll get one of five responses. 

“Yes, they have mentioned that to me.”  If you get a positive

response, the next question to ask is, “Great, do you know

what kind of terms they are looking for or are they looking

for an offer?”

If they are looking for terms that work for you or they are looking for an offer, make an appointment with Sally agent to look at the home.  Note:  Sally will try to become your Realtor.  This might not be bad if Sally is creative and willing to read this book along with you, but otherwise don’t sign anything to commit you to Sally except for this home.  If Sally is really good, you might want her to be your agent.  If the terms are not within your scope, then ask the following:

“Do you have any other listings where  your

seller might have said to you, ‘Sally (remember

to use their real name J), if you don’t sell my

home soon I might have to rent it?’  Sally, can

you think of any of your listings like this that

might work for me?”

To be continued until tomorrow!  Join me tomorrow as I go over possible Realtor answers. 

Excerpt taken from Rent-To-Buy: Your Hands-on Guide to BUY Your Home When Mortgage Lending is Tight, Chapter 5, Pages 68-71.

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