All Forum Posts by: Katt Wagner

Make sure it's a brand you can grow into.  If you make it "___buys houses" well, then that won't let people know you could offer them other solutions beyond a singular cash offer.  Besides, if I think you're just a single buyer, why should I think your offer was anything but a lowball offer?  Multiple buyers means multiple offers.  

Check out Joe McCall, Chad Corbett and other content on creative financing/investment strategies and get some ideas for what you can offer. Take off the cash buyer hat and be someone ANYONE with property needs might look to get it done.  Remember, even if you don't practice on the brokerage side, you could still win reciprocity from agents by referring listings for full retail to a solid agent when that's the best option for someone. 


I like Simply Works Properties. Makes it seem like you find solutions and make the process simple for the homeowner.

Check Out Chad Corbett's Probate Role Play coaching on YouTube

For development purposes - If a CI PiN dev would like to get complete probate data, please message me!  

If you learn to work Probates, Foreclosures will be a cakewalk.  Challenge yourself and take the probate list.

Are you cold-calling yet? Look up some probate role play and cold calls and get ready to pick up the phone when you get your list. You'll want to know how to offer value first instead of just jumping in and asking about the property in the estate.

With probate in most states, the PR can list the property as soon as they have letters of testamentary from the court. He probably hadn't filed probate at all yet.  As soon as he petitions, notice will be published.  That window is typically 30 days and then the judge can give authority to the petitioner if nothing is contested.  Take a trip to your local probate court and find out the process and timeframe in your area.

You can always use a timeline to win business from the beginning "Do you want to be done in May when probate closes, or just getting in started in May?" Then kindly clarify their misconception that a house can't be sold in probate.

Rachan, good luck!  It looks like you stumbled across a good investment opportunity!

Did you look up who the probate petitioner is?  While they can't make a decision on the sale of a property until they have letters of testamentary, you could still reach out and offer options now that way YOU are the first in line when those letters come.   Because of the tax owed on this property, there should be motivation to move forward and sell (since it doesn't seem at this point like they've paid any mind to the property).

I'd skiptrace the petitioner, give them a call and introduce myself as someone that helps in these situations.  Find out if they've been over to the property (you have deduced already that they probably haven't been over there), and find a reason to set a time for a walk through.  An unkept lawn is a signal to squatters that this house is available - You could build rapport simply by offering to get a lawn guy over there.  

Bottom line - Find an incentive to earn a walk-through so you can see the inside condition of the house. You'll also have solidified the relationship by taking the time to check on the house for them.  When they get their letters of testamentary, then you can move them forward towards a signed purchase agreement.

Records from your county courthouse will show you who filed to open the probate case. Depending on your court, you may also be able to pull records later on that show if the appointment to administrator has been granted to the petitioner or not.

Eric, I recommend pulling by probate file date. When probate is filed, it indicates the PR is finally taking steps to deal with the estate (coming to terms with emotions) AND/OR they have some type of urgency and need to settle the estate. 

Probates season exceptionally well, so there will be gold a year back especially if your market is bullheaded in the first 30 days but weak in terms of follow-up as leads age. You'll have some people that file probate and have high urgency to sell. You also have cases where the case gets dragged out because a will is contested, or there is infighting among the family, or people get caught in probate quicksand. 

However far you decide to look back, remember it could take more than one letter or phone call to actually speak with the personal representative so be consistent with your follow-up.

Check out some of the REIAs and jump over to some trust sales to introduce yourself - Those are probably people who have their feet on the ground where you're looking to learn more.  And in general, great way to meet new people and learn new things about the community in general.

Find a JV partner, or if it's short term flip try to find a flat fee lender with a 90 day payback time frame where your fee will be less than standard interest