Free vs Paid Real Estate List Building Tools: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to real estate investing, one of the most crucial steps in building your business is acquiring a high-quality list of leads. 

Whether you’re looking to wholesale, flip, or buy and hold, the right list can be the difference between landing a profitable deal and missing out. As technology evolves, there are a variety of tools that help investors pull these lists, some free, some paid. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of each to help you determine which option is best for your needs.

What is List Building?

List pulling refers to the process of gathering data on properties and owners, often by searching public records or other databases. 

This can include absentee owners, tax delinquents, vacant properties, and more. The more targeted your list, the higher the quality of leads, and the better your chances of finding lucrative deals.

Free Real Estate List Pulling Tools

1. REsimpli’s Free List Builder

If you’re looking for a free, efficient, and automated way to pull targeted real estate lists, REsimpli’s Free List Builder is one of the best choices.

This tool is designed for real estate investors who need high-quality leads but don’t want to deal with the time-consuming process of pulling data from multiple sources.

• Pros:
  
  • Ease of use: REsimpli’s List Builder allows you to quickly search by criteria such as absentee owners, tax delinquents, vacant properties, and more—no complex setup required.
    
  • Free Skip Tracing: The tool includes up to 3 phone numbers and emails per record, helping you make direct contact with leads right away.
    
  • Seamless CRM Integration: You can immediately import your list into your CRM, allowing for streamlined marketing without needing to export or manually clean your data.
    
  • Advanced filtering: Filter your list based on multiple conditions and create custom lists for your unique investment strategy.

• Cons:
  
• Free Version Limitations: Some premium features are reserved for paid plans, but the free version still offers robust functionality for smaller-scale investors or those just starting out.

2. Public Records

Public records are one of the most basic free methods for pulling lists. Local government websites provide access to property data like ownership details, tax assessments, and property characteristics.

• Pros:
  
  • Cost-effective: No subscription fees; it’s free to access public data.
    
  • Comprehensive data: You can pull a variety of property and ownership data.

• Cons:
  
  • Time-consuming: Searching through multiple county records and compiling data manually can take hours.
    

Paid Real Estate List Building Tools

1. PropStream

PropStream is a paid tool that provides a wealth of property data and advanced filtering options for real estate investors. It’s a favorite for serious investors who need detailed and accurate data.

• Pros:
  
  • Comprehensive Data: Includes property details, owner information, and even financial data.
    
  • Advanced Filters: Filter by equity, distress signals, and more to find highly targeted leads.
    
  • Skip Tracing: Skip tracing is built directly into the platform for quick access to contact information.

• Cons:
  
  • Cost: At $99/month, it can be expensive for new investors or those with a limited budget.
    
  • Learning Curve: The platform’s many features may be overwhelming for beginners.

2. REISift

REISift is designed for investors who want to clean and optimize their lists for maximum efficiency. It’s great for users who need a robust tool to filter and organize their leads.

• Pros:
  
  • Data Cleaning: Automatically cleans and removes duplicate records.
    
  • List Stacking: Layer multiple filters to find the highest-priority leads.
    
  • Analytics: Provides insights on your lists and marketing efforts.

• Cons:
  
  • Cost: REISift starts at $97/month, which might be outside the budget for new investors.
    
  • Complex Interface: While powerful, it can take time to learn and master.

Conclusion

While free list-pulling tools like public records can help you gather basic property data, REsimpli’s Free List Builder stands out as a great option for real estate investors who want an efficient, automated, and integrated solution. 

It’s a perfect choice for those who need quality leads without breaking the bank. On the other hand, paid tools like PropStream and REISift offer advanced features and automation for larger-scale investors looking to take their business to the next level.

Ultimately, the right tool depends on your needs and budget. Start with a free tool like REsimpli’s List Builder to streamline your workflow, and consider upgrading to paid tools as your business grows and your needs evolve.