PropertyReach is working on an article about how real estate investors identify absentee property owners, including out-of-state owners, and how these leads factor into off-market deal sourcing. We're looking to speak with experienced investors, agents, or real estate data professionals who can share how they research and work with absentee owner leads. We're especially interested in commentary on: - How investors identify absentee or out-of-state property owners - What data sources are most useful for researching absentee ownership - Why absentee owners may be more open to selling - How investors verify owner information before outreach - How investors typically approach initial contact - Common mistakes investors make when pursuing absentee owner leads Requirements: - Real estate investors, agents, or real estate data professionals preferred - Must have experience researching absentee owners or off-market leads - Must be available for a 30-minute Google Meet interview - Please include your name, title, company, and a brief description of your experience

I'm Jeff Burke, CEO of Jeff Burke & Associates and Co-Owner of Keller Williams Realty in Lansing. With 27 years in this market and over 1,200 homes sold in the past five years, I've worked absentee owner leads long before most investors even knew the term. Identifying absentee owners comes down to tax records and mail address mismatches. When the property address and the owner's mailing address are in different states, that's your signal. County assessor data is still the most reliable starting point, and layering in skip tracing tools helps verify current contact information before you ever pick up the phone. Out-of-state owners are often more motivated because they're managing a house from a distance. Deferred maintenance, tenant headaches, and the emotional detachment from a property they never see daily makes the conversation easier. They're not attached the way a local homeowner is. The biggest mistake investors make is mass-blasting generic mailers without doing the homework. Personalization matters. Referencing the specific property builds trust immediately.