Cold calling remains one of the most effective ways for real estate investors to reach motivated sellers directly. This guide breaks down a proven system used by John Wahib, a cold calling expert managing 60+ callers, and shows you how to apply it whether you're a solo investor or building a team.
Cold calling in real estate means calling property owners directly to ask if they’re open to selling. It’s a proactive lead generation method that gives investors early access to off-market deals.
Why does it still work?
Cold calling lets you start real conversations with sellers before they raise their hands through ads or listing sites. When paired with quality data and a clear system, it becomes a consistent pipeline for leads.
Want to Hear the Full Interview with John Wahib? In this episode of the DealMachine Real Estate Investing Podcast, John shares exactly how his team of 60+ cold callers generates thousands of live conversations every day, and how any investor can apply the same approach. Watch the full episode below:
John Wahib's team has dialed the numbers — literally. Here’s what you can expect based on their results:
It typically takes 65–75 qualified leads to produce 2 signed contracts, which means one deal about every 6 weeks per dedicated caller.
Most property owners decide whether to stay on the phone within 15–20 seconds. A confident, direct introduction builds trust and keeps them from hanging up.
“Hi David, this is John from Florida Home Buyers. I’m calling about your property at 123 Main Street, have you thought about selling now or in the near future?”
This phrasing:
Bad data = wrong numbers, voicemails, and wasted time
Good data = live conversations and real leads
John’s team uses skip-traced data from DealMachine, allowing:
Pro tip: Always use verified data and update it monthly to avoid burnout from dead lists.
It depends on whether you have more time or more money.
John’s clients typically see 40 qualified leads/month per caller. One closed deal often pays for 2–3 months of service.
John manages 60+ cold callers, but his framework works at any size.
System + accountability = consistency.
“Hi [Name], this is [You] from [Company]. I’m calling about your property at [Address]. We recently bought a home nearby and are looking to buy more. Have you thought about selling now or in the near future?”
The goal isn’t to close, it’s to qualify and pass strong leads to your CRM.
In areas like Texas or California, having Spanish-speaking cold callers helps you:
Yes, they may cost slightly more, but the ROI is often higher.
To improve performance, track:
If lead flow drops, check:
How many calls does it take to get a real estate deal through cold calling?
It typically takes 65–75 qualified leads to close 2 contracts, which requires thousands of dial attempts and 5,000+ live conversations per month.
What’s the average cost to outsource real estate cold calling?
About $1,300 per month for one trained caller, including CRM and data tools. One deal at a $10K assignment fee more than covers this cost.
Is cold calling still effective for real estate in 2026?
Yes. Cold calling continues to deliver consistent seller leads, especially when backed by clean data, a clear script, and strong follow-up systems.
Should I cold call myself or hire someone?
If you’re just starting and have time, cold call yourself. If you want to scale faster and free up time, outsource to trained callers.
What’s the most important part of a cold calling script?
The first 20 seconds. Be clear, polite, and mention the property upfront to avoid sounding like a telemarketer.
Yes, when done correctly.
Cold calling helps investors control the lead process, speak directly with sellers, and generate a consistent pipeline of motivated leads.
Whether you’re a solo investor dialing daily or ready to scale with a trained team, cold calling can still drive real estate deals, one conversation at a time.