Knocking on doors in our area can get one shot.

No, I would not expect that. I'm not a door-to-door salesperson or a peddler. If I had a client who was specifically interested in a community, I'd send out a letter to residents (but frankly so many agents are sending these letters now and have no real buyers, just trolling for listings, that I wouldn't expect any major response).

And what Greg Cremia said!

Is your buyer willing to pay the over inflated price the not for sale home owner will be expecting, afterall, their house is so spectacular that you have a buyer who wants to buy it site unseen. Try and watch how fast the owners head swells up.

No, I would not!

No !!

Got a bunch of postcards in the mail. A solication trash on the front door with "no solicitation" signs in 3 places. If they knock I will go to city and notify the broker in person. There is a $350 fine w/o a permit(almost no one applies one).

Yes, and you could contact people by mail.  A

Knocking on heads(networking) is likely to get better results.

No, but target mailings to communities I'm interested in might be a good strategy. placing ads in local papers might also help. Many HOA's have a community newsletter that sells advertising is another possibility.

Funny you should ask that. Normally, that would not be something I'd want to do, but I have clients who asked me to do that very thing.... There's a house they have seen and they are very interested. Soooo we shall see how this goes.

Much talked about but not done very offer. I.E. door knocking.

 Sometimes I think these numbers that are put out by NAR are very misleading. Yes we have hot housing markets, however with low inventory levels how can people buy? How can people sell?

No, at least not randomly

This has not been an expectation of a seller.

However, creating new inventory is a really good idea.

Knocking on someones door and opening with "Would you like to sell your house?" is not how I would or have started.

This is a high risk EXTREMELY dangerous, abusive activity.

NO real estate agent should do it.

I will never knock on doors, even for a client. However, there are many other ways to reach them, just not going to intrude on their "lives" by dropping by.

I do not knock on doors. 

Goo morning Evelyn. I don't see that happening for the top agents, they will always do their fair share of business.

Yes, and if they did not and I really had to buy then I would be.

But as it stands I dont buy in a market where I have to pay full price so I would just pull out and wait.

yes!

I think it might be worthwhile for agents to try and get business that way.

I wouldn't.

Evelyn - I would have no problem doing that if my clients were to pick out a few homes they were interested in.

Evelyn,
Working past listings, etc. to a degree is ok, but beyond that would require payment by the hour.

Absolutely! Not only do I serve my buyer client, but get listings out of it as well. 

I love door knocking, especially in my hyper local farm. I've met so many nice people and make great contacts for neighborhood happenings, not just for business reasons. 

Yes, if it is a FSBO, but if the agent wants to convince someone to sell, then I would predict a very high price.  It depends on what the Buyer is willing to pay and what the CMA shows.

I have had a couple of buyers ask me to "do whatever it takes to find a place in this neighborhood", and have door knocked and put flyers out.    It worked.

In any market, I could see that happening.

I haven't heard about it in my market.  I have volunteered to do it for my clients, and they are very surprised.

Some agents do, usually older agents, but we have many areas, where you are not allowed to door-knock or leave any solicitation material. 

It's been done in our area in the 2004-2006 timeframe and it can work! 

Absolutely! along with inviting communities to take a look at what is going on in the market as others are getting top dollar for their homes with the inventory shortage and low rates. So they can feel confident in selling their homes, invite them to get pre-approved for their next move.

No way.  We have sold a few homes that weren't on the market because they fit what a buyer was looking for, but we knew the sellers.  

That may be wishful thinking.

We have all seen how things work in cycles It may be time for this to come back

Evelyn Johnston Since I never cared to knock on doors, I wouldn't expect my agents to do it.

No - however - mailing a letter would be a possibility...

We send out mailers to match our buyer with off-market sellers.

These days i just dont think it is safe to do or what home owners would want