Getting the Probate list

[Josh Adamo]

Ok so I went to the court house today and asked for the probate filings. They showed me where they were but said they ccouldn't give me copies. I'm able to view them there but I'm wanting to start a direct mail campaign. I asked if there was a website I could view them at and they said no. How do yall go about getting this list so yall can mail to them? Thanks for your time and help!!!

[Rick H.]

@Dev Horn - your point is spot on, however the original post had more to do with how to collect and assemble the data.

Everyone (thinks) they want an easy to access list, for free. Believe me, the more accessible the information and the lower the cost, the worse it is for the investor. Really, think about it!

In CA, we have PropertyRadar.com (formerly ForeclosureRadar.com). It's proprietors have made access to data extremely easy and affordable. $50 per month gets you access to the whole state (maybe more). However, those who were accustom to marketing directly foreclosure leads have found an already crowded niche even more crowded by people who mail once, decide it doesn't work, and move on to the next moneymaking idea.

The point is that what's bad, it turns out, is good! Having to schlep down to the courthouse, maybe pay for parking, go through the metal detector, fill out a form to pull only a few files at a time, revise them and input the data, is a hassle. I'm happy it's inconvenient for the guy that wants it dropped in his lap.

Serious investors will figure out what data is important, create databases that include the important fields, and either take a laptop to the data place (aka courthouse) or delegate the job to another to research and collect.

And then the real fun begins when you create direct response marketing campaigns to reach and convert these leads to prospects and then monetize them by doing deals yourself and referring out the off-target for profit.