How to Find Motivated Sellers Fast

Despite what you may hear about inflation and mortgage rates, housing inventory is still low. Even though this market is great for sellers looking to cash in, many are hesitant. Knowing how to find motivated sellers who haven’t listed yet is key to growing your business. 

Finding motivated sellers is easier than you may think. We’ll go over everything you need to know about who these sellers are, how to find them, and what services can help do so. Think of this as your go-to guide to home seller leads.

What are Motivated Home Seller Leads?

The best way to find a motivated seller is to use data-driven targeting. Motivated home seller leads include people going through financial distress, life-altering changes, or those relocating for career or personal reasons.

A lead is direct access to these people. If you’re an investor or a realtor looking to grow your business, these leads can be hugely beneficial. They are much more targeted, for example, than a generic postcard that goes into a mailbox and gets recycled.

Think Like a Buyer and Not a Seller

As you look at real estate to sell, you always want to put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Even though you’re looking for homes to sell, those also need to be turned around to a new owner. This is why it’s critical to think like a buyer and not just a seller.

While you’re looking for sellers who need to sell their home quickly, also pay attention to the areas these leads are coming from. Ask yourself if you have buyers for this area, is it desirable, is it up and coming, are there good schools, and all the common questions buyers ask.

The more you know about the areas you want to sell in, the easier it is to narrow down the type of leads you receive. You can focus on finding home seller leads in your favorite counties and cities.

What Makes Someone Motivated to Sell?

There are a number of reasons why people sell homes quickly or in distress. Many times, those reasons fall under the personal or financial category. People may need to relocate for work, school, or to be closer to family.

Other sellers need quick access to cash, they may be falling behind on payments, or they may have lost income. Divorce, family members passing away, and children leaving home are common personal reasons people need to move quickly.

Absentee Homeowner Listing Leads

Absentee homeowners are people who live in a home that is not their primary residence. They may be living elsewhere while they work, travel, or study, or have simply moved out of the area. Absentee homeowners are more likely to have a vacation home, second home, or investment property.

If you're looking for motivated sellers and want to find as many leads as possible, this can be an excellent source of new business.

Empty Nest Downsizing Listing Leads

Empty nesters are more likely to sell than homeowners with a house full of young children. Many times, empty nesters are looking for a change and want to move into something smaller. They no longer need as many bedrooms and are motivated to get into a new space.

Empty nesters may also have a nice chunk of equity built up. They may also have paid off a mortgage or have lived in their home for decades. This makes them motivated to take those profits and put them into a new chapter of life.

Divorced Household Listing Leads

Divorced household listing leads can be a great way to find motivated sellers. Divorce often leads to one or both partners leaving a shared home. Couples splitting up may also need to sell to divide assets or finalize their divorce.

Divorce will often lead to homeowners wanting to sell quickly. They may even be motivated to take less money or take fewer offers just to be done with the sale.

Distressed Property Listing Leads

If you're a real estate agent looking for motivated sellers, distressed property listings are an excellent source of leads. Distressed properties are those that are either in foreclosure or have been repossessed by the lender. These properties can be great deals for buyers because they often sell at a discount and owners may need to sell quickly due to financial hardship.

In many cases, agents will receive notification from their MLS system when there are new listings available in their area that fit this category. You can also stay ahead of these systems and get a jump before other agents using a targeted lead service. 

Tax Lien Properties Listing Leads

Tax lien properties are a great source of motivated sellers. Tax liens are owned by the government and sold at auction to the highest bidder. Because these properties are not marketable, they're often sold at a discount compared to comparable homes in your area.

If you're an investor looking for a quick flip or rehab project, tax lien properties may be right up your alley. They are also great for buyers who are looking to get a deal on a home they can rebuild, renovate, and fully customize to fit their needs.

How to Find Motivated Home Sellers Today

Knowing how to find motivated home sellers doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right tools and strategies, it's easy to find the sellers you’ve been looking for. That’s where we come in.

A partnership with The Share Group will make it easier to find home sellers without all the homework. We find you the home sellers, and you can focus on growing your business. Fill out our contact form to get in touch with our real estate leads experts, schedule a meeting, or call us at (402) 235-4556.