Skip Tracing

[Steve Dussault]

I got a tax lien list and an unsafe structures list from my county. I know there are some good deals on these lists as many of them have no mortgages. However, I can't find half of the owners. The letters I send to the address on file with the county assessor is bad, no forwarding address.

Now I am trying to skip trace. Here are some methods I have used so far.

Free Sources:
- information, or free internet search like switchboard.com
- pipl.com (not too bad for free - finds social networking sites too)
- Courthouse records (shows previous subpoena addresses and if they have a driving offence their date of birth in my county. Also marriage licenses - helps with women who's last name changes.)
- Ask the neighbors (unfortunately a lot of these houses are in run down areas and the neighbors are transient renters who don't know anything)

Pay Sources:
- Peoplefinder.com (not too expensive, shows a lot of addresses, married/maiden names, relatives, roommates, etc. This is a lot of info for the money in my opinion.)

However, there are still a lot of folks I can't find and I am thinking about using a skip tracing service. Anyone have any experience with findtheseller.com? Can anyone recommend a good, cost effective service?

Thanks in advance!