Whats the next step beyond skip tracing?

Question

After running skip traces and finding some properties with deceased owners or owners who are listed at 117 years old, what are some things I can do to dig deeper? Is anyone using a private investigator or "bounty Hunter" to try to find relatives or rightful owners?

Mike Flora · Answer

I have used a private investigator a couple times when all else fails. I have TLO as well and if nothing come from that with family members, social media, etc etc and things are adding up to be a possible deal I have used a PI and it paid off big time. Make sure it makes sense to do so as well. Highly distressed, vacant, few years of unpaid property taxes and any other info that makes it seem more possible to be a deal. You don't want to waste a lot of time on these and money if things are not adding up to be a deal. Before you hire a PI go to the property and speak to all neighbors for info as well and what I have done before is put the biggest sign I can in the front yard with my phone number on it stating I want to buy your house. IT WORKED and the son called me and after probate finished we purchased the property. It was good cause no one else could contact him cause he was so hard to find. The PI we used worked and it took some time but we got the property for 66K, put 45K into it and sold for 230K last summer. Hired a PI on another one that made sense but we could never find the guy, he was homeless and drug user and no one had seen him in like 3 years. Sucks cause he had a free and clear property but its gone now at tax auction this month. Anyways, hope this helps, the harder they are to find on these vacant properties, the better in my mind because of less competition. Might take a bit but your the one talking to these owners or heirs and no one else is.

Evgeni Romberg · Answer

Try TLO I've had success using their services.

https://www.tlo.com

hope this helps,

Cheers!