Market 2 distressed properties of absentees that appear occupied?

[Benjamin Cowles]

presumably they're occupied by renters. I'm just started getting my system going here going around town gathering addresses which most of which turn out in the CAD to be listed as owner occupied, which I put to the side for further skip tracing. Half of the rest, if not by the first drive by, I'll drive by again to double check and find they appear occupied. But being according to the CAD the owners don't live there  I'm thinking market to possibly tired landlords of not the prettiest homes in town. Good strategy?

[Adrien C.]

thanks for clarifying. I drive and find the same situation. I have a letter template so it's very easy to get a letter out. I mail everyone a letter regardless of occupancy. My thoughts are that its a waste of time doing too much research on a property before they even contact me. I have about a 10% response rate. Some are owner occupants who don't want to sell. Some want to. It's the same with absentee owners. Mail that is returned I first cross reference with county clerk to see if they are in foreclosure. If not, I start digging. Google name to see if died. If so- track down kids. Use skip trace to track down the rest. I do the same w the foreclosures. I'll go back to any non respondents about a month later to verify property. You'll find some are now listed, some are now being worked on, and some you thought vacant actually occupied. I talk to neighbors and find out anything about property and past owners and even get referrals to other vacant houses that are being maintains still. It's a lot of work tracking down the vacant owners but it's a goldmine en you find them. Oh- I'll try to find them of Facebook and send a message. Hope this helps.