Obituary leads Vs Probate Leads

[Abraham Hodroj]

I'm a new investor and have been reading a lot. Choosing to go with the somewhat more difficult market in the hopes of accomplishing more. 

I  would like feedback from seasoned investors. What is better or should i target both? 

[Guy Olds]

@Abraham Hodroj When you start chasing after obituary leads you're way early to the game. You don't know if there even will be a probate. A good family trust may be able to avoid one, there might be no assets or a will could clearly direct where the assets go. You also don't know who the key decision maker (the PR) for the estate will be. In fact, if there was no will no body knows who will be the Administrator (also known as the PR) at the time of the obituary. 

In the case of no will, which is about half the time, the Administrator is appointed by the court after probate is applied for which could be weeks, months or years later. Chasing obituary leads before probate begins I think you will just be spinning your wheels. 

Wait for probate to begin. There's no rush. Build relationships with PRs. It still takes 6-8 weeks (at least in CA) until the PRs get the Letters Testementary or Letters of Administration which are their powers to sell assets/real estate. Until then you can't buy any property from them.

Good luck.