Cold calling scares new wholesalers more than anything else, and it should not. You are not tricking anyone. You are asking a simple question: would they consider selling? Most people say no, some say maybe, and the maybes are your business.
The first ten seconds
Be honest about who you are and why you are calling. "Hi, my name is ___, I buy houses in the area, and I was wondering if you had ever thought about selling the property on ___." Then stop talking and let them answer.
Rules that keep you out of trouble
- Call during reasonable hours only, and respect do-not-call requests immediately.
- Never argue. A "no" today can be a "yes" in six months if you left a good impression.
- Log every call so you never call the same person twice by accident.
After the opener
If they engage, slow down. Ask about the property and their situation before you ever mention price. The goal of the first call is a second conversation, not a contract.