Skip tracing vs seller leads: what you pay for

What is skip tracing?

Skip tracing means finding how to reach a person from public records and other data. Investors use it to turn a name and an address into a phone number or e-mail so they can call an owner who never contacted them.

The work is simple to describe and slow to do by hand. You pick a group of owners, such as vacant homes in a county. You buy or build a list. Then you run it through a skip trace service to add contact details.

The owners on that list did not ask to hear from you. Every call is a cold call. That is the main difference from a lead.

What is a seller lead, and how is it different?

A seller lead is a homeowner who wants to sell for a cash offer. You start a warm conversation. You also see the owner's reason and timeline up front, so you know who is worth a call before you pick up the phone.

On DrivenSellers, a lead is sold to one buyer and graded from A+ to C by how likely the seller is to close. The card shows the facts. The name, phone and exact address unlock when you buy.

The price is higher per name than a list record, because the owner already raised a hand and you do not share the lead. You pay for the warm start and for the work of checking it.

How do skip tracing and seller leads compare?

Skip tracing is cheaper per name but needs more calls, because the owners did not ask to hear from you. Seller leads cost more per name and start warm. The right choice depends on your time, your budget and how you like to work.

Neither promises a deal. Track what you spend for each signed contract, not for each name. Shared vs exclusive leads explains how.

How does the Data Pool handle skip tracing for me?

You pick a county or a whole state and filters like vacant or free and clear, and the Data Pool delivers owners who match. We charge $0.20 per property, and only for properties that come with a phone or an e-mail you can use.

• Records come from public records and licensed data partners.
• Individual owners only. Companies, trusts, estates, banks and government owners are left out.
• Off-market homes only. Listed homes are never counted.
• Add property data for $0.20 more per property. That brings estimated value, equity, assessed value, beds, baths, year built and more.
• Look up one address for 2 properties. If no record is found, nothing is used.
• You can preview a county for free and export what you pull to CSV.

If you ask for 100 and only 87 have a usable phone or e-mail, you get 87 and you pay for 87. At $0.20 each, 100 properties cost $20.

When should I use a list and when should I buy a lead?

Use a list when you want volume in one county and can handle cold calls. Buy a lead when you want a warm owner with a clear reason to sell and a grade to guide your day. Many investors use both.

• A list is good for testing a market, a script or a niche, like vacant homes.
• A lead is good when your time is the limit and you want fewer, warmer conversations.
• Use AutoMatch to hear about new leads that fit your buy box while you work your list.

Every exclusive lead is guaranteed for 5 days: a 5-day refund window if it is not as described. Data Pool records are shared and delivered at once, so they cannot be returned. If one is wrong, report it.

How accurate is skip-traced contact data?

No list is perfect. People move, change numbers and let e-mail go. Expect some wrong or old details. Check each record before you call, and report bad data so it can be fixed for you and for others.

In the Data Pool, a wrong record can be reported from the record. If you paid for it from your wallet, we add one free property to your account, up to a monthly limit.

Phone numbers on the Do-Not-Call list and known litigators are flagged on every number, so you can see them before you dial.

How do I stay on the right side of the rules?

Follow the federal and state calling and texting laws, check the Do-Not-Call lists, and honor anyone who asks you to stop. The flags help, but the duty to follow the law is yours.

Cold outreach has more legal risk than outreach to a homeowner who wants to sell for a cash offer. Keep a record of who told you to stop, and never contact them again.

To try both sources, make a free account and look before you pay.