OfflineI realized today I have been missing opportunity. (And I'll betcha anything someone here has already talked about this and I probably read right past it. lol)
I've been running several Craiglist and newspaper ads for rent. Typically, once I have a renter, I cancel the ad and/or leave a message on my phone saying "I'm sorry, that house has been taken". Well, it hit me today that I've been throwing away leads! So the calls I received today, instead of letting them hang up I said I was sorry, the house was taken, but there may be other ones coming up. I asked what they were looking for, where, and when they need to move by. I think I will also ask now if they are interested in a lease/option. Then I can add the yeses to my buyers list, too. SO, I'm going to continue my "for rent" ads on Craigslist (hey, it's free), as another source of contacts (whether I currently have something or not). Another "live and learn". 
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
I thought I taught you better than that... Ha! Well, at least you caught your error and will have those backups for future references. I'm glad you realized it sooner than later dear. Hopefully you didn't miss out on too many leads.
Psalms 118:23 "This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."
I never thought about it for the renters AFTER they were all filled! Shame on me. LOL
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
Rina, I am stunned that you would let that go LOL.. I haven't used the list for renters yet, but my list grows. as of today, I have 6 on my list and no props. Guess someone should get busy.....Jan
I don't even keep a list anymore. The vacancies fill so fast that it isn't even worth the hassle to call people on the list. It is crazy.
You've got to find your obstacles and call them out! Unsheath the sword, and do battle with whatever it is that holds you back!
Wouldn't you keep a list of those interested in lease/options? Maybe they hadn't even thought about it before. Maybe they've always been renters. ???
(Well, actually I meant for renters, too. But then my thoughts quickly turned to buyers that you could profit from lease/options on)
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
Keep the list you acquire, check up in a couple of weeks and see where they stand. Then modify it as you get the updated info. Well, hopefully we'll soon be selling as quickly as Matt and won't be able to keep up on the list either... LOL!
Psalms 118:23 "This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."
You screen the "for rent" callers. If you have something availabe, great. If not, you have an idea what each figures they can afford for monthly rent (or house payment!). Then you ask them if they've heard of a lease/option or know that they could purchase a home this way. Might be a whole other way to stir up the "American Dream" mentality in someone who (for whatever reason) has not thought about it, when there are so few buyers right now. And they would be captive for whatever YOU have to offer since they are not actively searching to begin with.
I'm just going to test it. What could it hurt, right?
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
All three parties I showed houses for rent to this week said they plan to look for a place to buy next year (without me asking). Perhaps it will be ME who sells them a house and helps them qualify to purchase.
Find a need and fill it. Make some $ doing so. (my new motto? lol)
Just thinking out loud, as usual.
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
Did you slap a card in their hand and tell them you can find them "just what they need"? You must have been napping through CL 101 huh? LOL! I like you're new motto. I have one too...GET OUT AND DO IT, NOBODY WILL DO IT FOR YOU! How's that?
Dawn
Life's a Dance you learn as you go...GET HAPPY FEET!
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all." ~Dale Carnegie
Here's the response I'm sending back to new e-mails, but personalizing each just a bit.
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"Hi ****.
Thank you for your inquiry on the house for rent. Unfortunately this one is no longer available. We were able to get a tenant recently. However, we are in the process of purchasing other homes that will be coming up for rent in the next couple of months. And I have a friend that has 2 available shortly. If you would like to leave some information of what you may be looking for, I can keep your name and number for anything that I feel may interest you.
I wish you well in your search.
Lorina ******
P.S. If you might be interested in a lease/option (rent to own), we may have some of those coming up as well."
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So far I've gotten responses from 2/3 of the ones I sent out today.
Here is one of them:
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"Thank-you very much, My name is *******, **** is my boyfriend we just share the same email. I called a few days ago about the house on valley brook rd? I am very interested in the rent to own option! also if you have any houses avaiable to rent around *******, or basically around Four Corners school I went to school there and would really like my kids to go there as well. Also I would like to be closer to my family. We are currently living in Gordon and its just so far away. Thats why I would like to be closer but I just dont want to live in ********, We like the Country. Anyways we are looking for a 2-3 bedroom house anywhere from $600-700 a month My number is ***-***-**** I look forward to hearing from you, Thanks so much for the response :)"
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I'll give an update if anything comes of my "test".
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
If they, in fact, can pay this much in rent, they could handle a $90,000 30yr loan at 6.5%, along with taxes and insurance. Will they qualify? we shall see.
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249