Goshen, KY · Member since 2009 · 835 posts · 683 votes
In my city, our probate leads are published in the newspaper at the same time each month. I am finding that even in some big cities, folks are still having to trek down to the courthouse.
I was wondering, where all of you "probate investors" get your leads?
Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
14y
Interesting question. Petitions to administer estates require publication in an adjudicated (?) paper in CA. So you have to know which paper that is in your county. In some counties, it's the biggest city's main newspaper. In one of my farm counties, there is a legal paper that's only legal notices and it's expensive to subscribe. Some Superior Courts have their indexes and calendars online now, so you can see the names of the cases. But you still have to work backwards to figure out if the estate has real property.
I'm pretty sure that none of the few dozen "probate deals" I've done came from a "probate lead". In every one I can think of, there was always another distress or target that generated the mail marketing or the first call. Vacant, abandoned, code violation, foreclosure, out of area owner, taxes, etc. Sometimes, the heirs and/or the execs. have completed all the court work and they are ready to sell...and my letter arrives in the mail. I love those. Sometimes they've hit a wall with infighting or court appraisal issues or debt issues and those involve problem solving. Those are still fun, but take longer. I've done a few much harder, riskier deals where I find all the heirs, pay up front for assignments of interest in the estate and hire the attorneys. Those are hard core and not recommended for anyone in a hurry and without a lot patience.
Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
9y
@Sharon Vornholt, I'm in Houston, and I think they're listed on a website I've found. I go in and check the deceased name, then go to hcad.org to see if they own property in Harris County. If they do, can I reasonably assume that I can call that a lead? Seems so simple, I feel like I'm missing something.
Goshen, KY · Member since 2009 · 835 posts · 683 votes
9y
You really don't want to call probates. Send a letter. These folks are grieving. The purpose of doing it that way is for them to call you when they are ready. You need to communicate with the decision maker AKA the executor/administrator.
Where can I find Probate listing online for Georgia
Hello Laverne,
Here's the website for probate filings for the state of Georgia. Although your going to have to pick your county and court. (Atkinson, Brooks, Cobb, Dade etc;)
Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
9y
Thanks Rick. I just re-read this post again from Sharon Vornholt and most of the answers are here. BP members from W.V., TX, KY & MA have chimed in. Why would an investor want to spend money on probate lists in GA, OH, (48 other states) if they're free? I enjoy doing what I'm doing. Mostly because of my experience as an heir and as a current problem solver. It's easy to trot down to the courthouse (county) attend the hearings (probate) and/or gather necessary information.
Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
9y
@Sharon Vornholt I think there was some confusion on my post. I wasn't saying I would call the lead, I was asking if that was actually a lead. I've got on the county clerk probate site my county and cross referenced with hcad.org to make sure that the decedent owned real estate. If they did, would that qualify as a lead? (I am considering that a lead right now) I'm new to the process and was wondering if there should be anymore qualifying I should be doing.
Wholesaler · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2015 · 10 posts · 0 votes
9y
I've been sending about 30-40,000 direct mail pieces a year for the past 2.5 years ( to absentee and owner occs). I'm looking to add probate or inherited home leads to my mailings. Is there a good third-party source that provides these lists (I'm in Bexar county). I'm not interested in saving money by doing anything myself. Just want to pay for a list that is accurate. If anybody has any helpful information, please let me know, thanks!
Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 104 votes
9y
lazar
There is a company out of Houston called Real Acquisitions that advertises that they provide probate leads. I believe we worked together some years back on some of my REO listing. I am actively buying here in became county please keep me in mind for any wholesale deals
Before or right after you go to Real Acquisitions website message me.
Wholesaler · Richmond, VA · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 7 votes
8y
So I am in the Richmond Va area and have been trying to find out where I can get probate. One county charge 600.00 to get it online and another is only at the court house. I know there has to be a way that I can use the Obituaries names in order to find out if there was real estate or not. I f anyone know any answers please let me know.