I suppose you could do this to get leads.  But, no I don't think it establishes you as a neighborhood expert. It shows that you are new and looking for biz.  If you were the expert, they would already know you and have seen you everywhere (e.g. signs, direct mail, online)

No.

Gary Branscombe,

So you are the new kid on the block and you know you are going to have to knock some old chickens off the roost. That is business and sometimes the flock is going to cackle.

Door knocking is the very, very, very BEST thing you can do. However, it is not the FIRST thing you do.

The FIRST thing is creating something of value. Don't kid yourself, what is of value to YOU has no value to the home owner. That FREE CMA will make you look.....fowl.

Every home owner has seven challenges/goals/objectives to face every year. They are fully covered in reviewing the top ten New Year resolutions. How many of these can you help the homeowner with? Each one is something of value to the home owner. A free CMA has NEVER made the top ten list.

Present this VALUE first via direct mail. Day 1

Present the 2nd Value via direct mail and announce your drop by date. Day 5

On the drop by date, (day 10) have your 3rd value in hand and introduce yourself. It's a warm call that will teach you a lot.

Be prepared! Anticipate their question. "What's going on with that house that has been abandoned for three years?" If you don't have the facts regarding the community, consider yourself cooked and done.

"I heard houses are selling for $540,000 here before you can put the sign up." (translated - who needs a REALTOR)  The facts are most likely homes are selling for $480,000 and average 167 days on market.

Bring your 'A Game' and tuned to, with full graciousness, the education channel. It is your JOB to make folks feel smarter after they have met you, just like the first two touches made them smarter as a result of following your instruction.

Want to be the 'go to' then do your homework, create a strategy and execute the strategy 100%.

Let others leave the door knocking to you and you should discourage others from doing the same. Let it be your 'best kept secret.'

It is up to you. I know agents who love door knocking and they are very successful in that. Others market themselves only by direct mail marketing or leaving something behind not disturbing homeowners. I believe, consistency is a key to farming.

Gary,

My answer is why would you not.  We have a client who does this 3 days a week every afternoon.  He dominates the marketplace, which is a high end neighborthood, and people love seeing him, and will open their security gates to get a chance to talke to him...A

Why not host a big party and invite the neighbors?

After I did a couple of mail outs absolutely. You will gain more credibility in person and they can get to know you. When you have sold a house get the client to write a testimonial and send it to everyone in the neighborhood. Send it just like the client wrote it. Very impactful 

Gary Branscombe - I work on Demographic Niche - and stay around at many social gatherings. Knocking on the door is my last choice!

Absolutely.

I do both - digitally as well as in person.

Gary - When I got married and moved into a new community, I learned EVERYTHING about the community & floor plans, then used direct mail and social gatherings to get name/face recognition.  Not everyone is willing to answer the door.. if you knocked on my door and just my wife was home she would never open it.  Best of luck however you decide to move forward...

Hi Gary -- a good question and some excellent comments/feedback.

As Alexandra Ron & Alexandra Seigel commented, there are many agents who door knock(I've done it but not a number of years) are quite successful at it even in higher-end neighborhoods where it is allowed.   

As Inna Ivchenko noted -- consistency is the key to successful lead generation. When you are newly licensed or new to the area --- find what works best with your personality and your target neighborhood/market.

Head hanging down, I shamefully say, Yes I am establishing myself as the neighborhood Real Estate Agent... and No, I don't knock on doors.

Not just to introduce myself but to also give them information about something.

I think showing your face is a great way to make a good connection. Be consistent with it, though. 

I have done that, but for the most part my area is small and I have to  cover many areas so it does make it harder...but, I will stop and talk with anyone i see.

I definitely have.  Was looking for a listing for a client that HAD to have a certain neighborhood, and went door knocking.    Ended up with several deals from one day of knocking! 

No, I attend social gatherings in the neighborhood.

Like Cindy suggested, I would only knock to announce an open house for a property in the neighborhood, and invite them to come by.

I also agre with @Debbie Gartner. There are so many other ways to establish yourself these days. I perhaps would door knock to announce a local open house, or something specific.

Same as Debbie Gartner . I don't knock on doors without a good reason but if I see someone doing something interesting in the neighbourhood I may speak with them.