Not all seller leads are created equal. You can pull thousands of records, but only a handful will convert if you are not combining the right filters.
In this article, we will show you the most effective combinations of motivated seller criteria used by high-performing real estate investors to build high-quality, high-converting lead lists.
Knowing the art of list building will help investors answer the question of:
“How do I secure off-market properties in real estate?”
Or
“How do I target sellers with high equity?”
Understanding Combinations
Most lead providers give you access to property records, but motivation is layered. A single filter, like absentee ownership, might catch landlords, but combining that with tax delinquency or long-term ownership increases the chance they are ready to sell.
Combining filters is how you go from a cold list to a hot one.
Top Motivated Seller Filter Combinations
1. Absentee Owner + High Equity + Long-Term Ownership
Why it works:
This targets landlords who no longer live in the property, have plenty of room to negotiate, and have owned the property long enough to feel ready to let go.
Ideal for:
Cold calling and direct mail.
2. Vacant Property + Absentee Owner + Out-of-State
Why it works:
The owner lives far away, is not occupying the property, and is less likely to manage repairs or tenants.
Ideal for:
SMS campaigns and driving for dollars.
3. Pre-Foreclosure + High Equity
Why it works:
Most pre-foreclosure properties do not have enough equity. This combo gives you a distressed seller with room to negotiate.
Ideal for:
Phone outreach with immediate follow-up.
4. Tax Delinquent + Long-Term Ownership + No Recent Sale
Why it works:
This owner is financially behind, emotionally detached, and has not tested the market recently.
Ideal for:
Multi-touch campaigns including mail, RVM, and follow-up calls.
5. Code Violation + Absentee + High Equity
Why it works:
They are not living there, owe fines or have deferred maintenance, and can afford to sell below market.
Ideal for:
Targeted niche campaigns in hot zip codes.
Make sure to be well-informed about the details of list building; it’s a game-changer when done right.
How to Use List Building in REsimpli
REsimpli allows you to:
- Pull lists based on any of the filters above
- Save combinations for future use
- Stack contacts who appear on multiple lists
- Tag each combination for tracking results
Once you find a combo that works, scale it with ease.
Conclusion
The secret to better list pulling is not bigger data. It is smarter combinations. Use these five tested filter sets to go from generic leads to motivated sellers ready to close.
FAQS
A motivated seller is a property owner who is eager to sell, often due to personal, financial, or property-related circumstances: such as foreclosure, tax delinquency, or vacancy. These sellers are more likely to negotiate and accept offers below market value.
Single filters (e.g., absentee owner) cast a wide net. Combining filters (like absentee + high equity + tax delinquent) narrows the list to more qualified, motivated sellers—boosting conversion rates and saving marketing dollars.
Start with Absentee Owner + High Equity + Long-Term Ownership. It’s a proven, broad combination that targets landlords likely ready to sell and open to negotiation.
Ideally, every 30 to 60 days. Market conditions change, and sellers who were once cold may become warm or hot over time—especially with filters like tax delinquency or code violations.
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Sharad Mehta
Sharad Mehta