Old absentee list in Delray Beach - how do you verify before skip tracing?

Question

Hey everyone,

Working an out-of-state list in Palm Beach County (Bristol Lakes, Valencia areas). Properties bought 2002-2005, owners in OH / VA / MI.

I skip traced one - 6663 Bristol Lk S - list showed 2002 owner. Checked PAPA (Palm Beach Appraiser) and it actually sold in 2020 to a new OH owner.

Lesson learned: list was outdated.

For FL wholesalers - do you check appraiser/clerk for every lead before you skip trace? Or skip first then verify to save time?

Also for these long-term holders (20+ years), are you seeing better response with email or SMS?

Thanks!

Dan Worth · Answer

Same issue shows up in Allegheny County. Absentee on a purchased list isn’t enough by itself. I only prioritize when absentee stacks with something live—open code case, active tax lien, or a recent foreclosure filing. County assessor and clerk records beat the list every time before you spend on skip tracing.

Travis Goodwin · Answer

I use DealMachine to check the county data for the last sold date before skip tracing. That helps me catch outdated records and avoid tracing a previous owner.

Muyees Ayilara · Answer

Update: Just checked PAPA for 7856 Trieste Pl - still shows same MI owner from 2002. Anyone know if Palm Beach PAPA is delayed or should I trust clerk?

Muyees Ayilara · Answer

Thanks Travis & Dan - great points. Learned my lesson with 6663 Bristol Lk S - list said 2002 owner, PAPA showed it sold 2020. Now I'm checking PAPA + Zillow listing status before skip. Dan - good call on stacking with code case/tax lien, will check PBC Clerk for that. Appreciate it!

Old absentee list in Delray Beach - how do you verify before skip tracing?

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