How to vet a seller lead before you buy

What can I see on a lead before I buy it?

Before you buy, the card shows the grade, the price, why the seller is selling, how soon, the condition, occupancy, listing status and the estimated value and equity. On leads where the seller took our AI call, you also read its summary.

Property records vary by home, so a field can be empty. We show what is on record, exactly as recorded, and never fill a gap with a guess.

Which facts on the card should I check first?

Start with the seller's reason and timeline, then the asking price against the estimated value, then equity, occupancy, repairs and listing status. Together they tell you whether the lead fits what you buy.

• Seller motivation and timeline to sell. A clear reason and a short timeline matter most. If the card says Not provided, the seller did not say, so ask on the call.
• Asking price. When the seller gives one, the card shows how it compares with the estimated value.
• Equity and mortgage. A lot of equity, or no mortgage, gives an owner room to say yes at more prices.
• Occupancy and repairs. Owner-occupied, tenant or vacant changes how you reach them. Repairs should fit what you can fund.
• Listing status. A card shows the listing status. Skip a listed home if you only want off-market.
• ZIP code and the map. Check that the area fits your Buying Areas.

If the facts do not fit what you buy, skip the lead and lose nothing. You are charged only when you buy.

What does the grade tell me about a lead?

The grade, from A+ to C, shows how likely the seller is to sell soon. A+ is the most likely and C is cold. It is a guide for who to call first and it sets the price. It does not promise a sale.

The prices are $349 for A+, $249 for A, $169 for B and $99 for C. The grade looks at how soon the seller wants to sell, why, the shape of the home, equity and asking price, and who owns it.

Read the fields as well as the letter. A card with many blank answers can grade low because the seller skipped questions, not because they said no, so ask about the gaps. We do not accept new leads that are listed with an agent, or whose phone is on a litigator list or does not work.

To see how grades and prices work together, read motivated seller leads.

How do I check a lead after I buy it?

After you buy, the name, phone and exact address unlock. Call, test the story on the card, and check the owner's name and the title before you sign anything. The card is a start, and the call confirms it.

1. Call soon. Say who you are and why you are calling. Ask about their plans before you talk price.
2. Ask why now, when they need to be done, who else has a say, what they owe and what the house needs.
3. Compare the answers with the card. If they differ, write it down in MyCRM.
4. Check the owner's name, the liens and the title with a title company before you sign.
5. Log every call with a follow-up date.

A lead is a warm start, not a deal. You still see the house, check the numbers and agree on a price.

What if the lead is not what the card said?

Seller not motivated, or lead not as described? Ask within 5 days and the price goes back to your credits. You can ask once per lead.

Open MyCRM, find the lead and choose Request refund. Pick a reason, such as "Seller isn't motivated to sell", and tell us what the seller said. The price goes back to your credits, never to your card. A refunded lead cannot be bought again.

Make your first call well inside the 5-day window, so you have time to decide. The exact rules are in the refund policy.

What are the calling and texting rules for a seller lead?

Follow the federal and state rules, such as the TCPA, check the Do-Not-Call lists, and stop at once if an owner asks you to stop. How you reach an owner after you buy is your responsibility.

A seller who asked for an offer may still have limits on how you may call or text. The FCC explains the federal rules on autodialed and prerecorded calls and texts, the rule itself is 47 CFR 64.1200, and sellers and telemarketers reach the registry through the National Do Not Call Registry site. States add their own rules.

Whether a seller's inquiry covers a particular call or text is a legal question for your own counsel. If an owner asks you to stop, mark the lead in MyCRM and stop. This guide is not legal advice.

How can I vet leads without spending much?

Create your account and set your Buying Areas. One A+ lead is open to read when one is available, and the rest unlock when you add a card. You're not charged until you buy. Then start with one lead and see how the first call goes.

A grade C lead costs $99, so one lead is a small first test. Buy it, call fast, log what you learn and compare it with the card. Then decide whether to buy more.

Ready to look? Create your account. To see what a deal costs once you have results, read what motivated seller leads cost per deal, and to keep your spend in a limit, read how much to spend each month.