66 Ways to Find Motivated Sellers

Lead generation is the life blood for any real estate investor.

With a primed pipeline of real estate leads, you can flip, wholesale, and landlord your way to an extremely profitable business venture.

Without one, you'll be left scrambling and wondering where your next deal — and your next paycheck — is going to come from.

Whether you're just starting out or your looking for your next deal, you have to know where to look for not just any real estate leads, but the best real estate leads.

That's where motivated sellers come in.

What is a Motivated Seller?

A motivated seller is someone who is willing to trade equity for peace of mind.

In other words, they will sell you their unwanted property at a discount to alleviate the stress that property is currently causing them.

The question is ... how can you find motivated sellers?

Keep reading to find out!

66 Ways to Find Motivated Sellers

1. Eviction notices from the court. This is the perfect time to ask a tired landlord if he wants to sell. You will need to contact your local court that handles tenant evictions to acquire a list.

2. Out-of-state landlords. Buy and hold investors who live in one state and own a rental in another state. A lot of people get re-located for work and instead of selling their primary residence, they keep it as a rental and then quickly realize how difficult it is to manage a rental long distance and are motivated to sell.

3. Landlords who own more than one property with back taxes. Back taxes on more than 1 property is an indication of a financial problem and they might be motivated to sell a property quickly to pay the back taxes.

4. Property owners whose assessment went way up this year. This means their property taxes are going to increase causing many to no longer afford their home. Contact the county assessor’s office to find out where the largest increases have happened.

5. Properties that were owned by people who went out of business. Often times failed business owners are also in jeopardy of losing their home.

6. Tax Delinquent homeowners. These are people behind on their property taxes. Contact the county assessor’s office to get a list. Start with delinquents more than 1 year behind.

7. Unemployment offices. They could be having trouble with their homes and may need a solution. You can hand out or place We Buy Houses flyers/ business cards.

8. Post flyers on bulletin boards at large stores. Especially Home Depot.

9. Vacant Land Owners. Best in specific areas where development is ideal and lots can be flipped for a profit. 

10. Craigslist.

11. Ebay. People post homes for sale there.

12. Letitgo. This is like ebay or craigslist where people post things they want to sell including houses. Download the app. 

13. Low income zip codes. These are areas where buy and hold investors like to invest. Target properties purchased between 3k-20k within last five years. These might be investors that still haven’t done anything with the property.

14. People getting divorced. In some cases, they are motivated to sell their home. 

15. Divorce Attorneys. They can refer clients.

16. For sale by owner (FSBO).

17. Expired MLS Listings. These are homes that did not sell with an agent and now the owner may desperately need to sell.

18. Underpriced homes for sale on the MLS.

19. Paid ads on Facebook. Post ads in your local area – We Buy Houses 

20. Facebook Marketplace. This is another place where people post things for sale including houses. 

21. Estate Executors/Administrators. They can refer clients looking to sell an inherited home.

22. Estate/Probate Attorneys. They can refer clients looking to sell an inherited home.

23. People who inherited homes, otherwise known as probate.

24. Bandit signs. Hanging We Buy Houses signs on telephone poles. Watch this video:

25. Big Baller marketing (TV, billboards, radio ads). These can be expensive but they will often sell large inventory spots for cheap.

26. Empty Nestors. These are owners with equity who have lived in their homes for more than 30 years. They are likely ready to downsize. Watch this video to learn more about how I believe this is the next biggest wave of motivated sellers.

27. Building Code Violators. People with citations from the city or state regarding issues with their homes.

28. Health code violators. An indication that the home is not being properly taken care of.

29. Pre Pre-foreclosure. People who are barely late on payments and the bank hasn't begun the foreclosure process yet.

30. Pre-foreclosure. These are people who the bank has started the foreclosure process on.

31. People making double payments. In other words, they own two homes, which can cause a financial burden.

32. People who have been transferred for work. They are often motivated to sell their home.

33. People with medical or health problems. Often need to downsize to pay for medical expenses.

34. Vacant homes. Any time a home is vacant, someone is paying the expenses to own the home. 

35. People in Bankruptcy or having financial burdens. They often need to sell their home to meet other financial obligations.

36. Bankruptcy court listings.

37. Credit Repair Agencies & Credit Counselors. They can refer people who are struggling financially.

38. HUD/VA Foreclosures. This is similar to a bank REO except the government owns the property and is motivated to sell it.

39. People arrested for violent crimes. They may be going to prison and will need to sell their home.

40. Real estate agents. Agents can bring good deals. Follow my double dip strategy.

41. Employees who have been laid off. 

42. Networking at local and online meet up groups. Every area has investor meet up groups, and you'll want to network to meet other investors.

43. Owners of section 8 approved properties.

44. Post Newspaper classified ads

45. Post ads in Penny Saver type papers.

46. Properties with liens: Mechanics Liens, HOA Liens, Tax Liens. Any type of lien is an indication of a financial hardship. 

47. Sales people at new home subdivisions. Their clients will want to sell their OLD houses. Place signs near new home subdivisions that say "Sell Your House Fast" with your phone number.

48. Mortgage brokers. They may know of people wanting to sell their old house / last house.

49. Bird dogs. These are people who will scout leads for you for a referral fee.

50. Accountants and CPA Firms. 

51. Real estate attorneys. 

52. Advertise using Apparel with Logos. Hats, T-shirts, Golf Shirts and more.

53. People getting their car or boat repossessed. If the car is going, the house may not be far behind.

54. Carpet cleaners. Many of their customers are preparing a house for sale.

55. Charitable groups/churches. They frequently receive gifts of real estate, but they’d rather have the cash.

56. City & County Inspectors: They know about code violations and red tags.

57. Large Employers (HR departments) Let them know you buy properties because if they need to transfer an employee, they don’t get stuck carrying the house. 

58. Executive properties for short-term transferees. 

59. Nursing & Retirement Homes.

60. Door Hangers on target properties. You can also use pre-printed post-it notes to leave messages at target properties. Be sure to advertise on both sides.

61. Garage Sales. Are they moving?  

62. Send mailers to Hair Salons/Barbers. A social hub! Lots of talking going on during haircuts.

63. Property Insurance Brokers. Policy changes from owner occupant to landlord or vacant house coverage. 

64. Water, Gas, and electric company shut off lists. If they are unable to pay their bills, they are likely in financial distress.

65. High Equity Owners. Owners who have at least 50% equity. 

66. Free and clear. Owners who own their property free and clear of any loans.

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