Why Search For Property Owners First? Here’s Five Reasons

Setting Up PropStream for Success

PropStream is a data platform that aggregates public records, MLS data, mortgage information, and marketing tools. 

Before searching for owners, register for an account (PropStream offers a free trial). Once inside the dashboard, follow these steps:

1. Define your target market: Search by county, city, ZIP code, or draw a custom polygon. Narrow down to neighborhoods, multiple ZIP codes, or specific corridors.
2. Apply filters, such as:

• Absentee owners (Owner Occupied = No, add sale date/equity ranges)
• Distressed properties (pre-foreclosure, liens, tax delinquencies, bankruptcies)
• Vacant land or commercial buildings
• Off-market only (uncheck “On Market”)

1. Build your list: Review results, check properties, and save them to a new or existing list (e.g., “Sept 2025 Absentee Owners”).
2. Skip trace contacts: Utilize PropStream’s built-in skip tracing to obtain up to four phone numbers and emails per owner, all DNC-scrubbed. Pay only for successful matches.
3. Market to your list:

• Postcards: Personalized, as low as $0.48 each
• Emails: Campaigns for ~$0.02 each, with follow-ups
• Landing pages: Capture leads with custom forms and branding.
• Calls & SMS: Reach owners directly using skip-traced data.

Real-World Use Cases

How do you actually use this in your real-world real estate investing? The better question is, how have you managed to survive this long without it?

Helping an absentee landlord

An investor in Dallas spots a duplex with an out-of-state owner who hasn’t maintained it. With PropStream’s absentee owner filter and skip tracing, they get the owner’s number, make a call, and the tired landlord agrees to sell.

Landing a vacation home listing

A real estate agent wants to break into a lakefront community. She draws a polygon on the PropStream map, filters for absentee owners, and starts a simple email campaign. After a few follow-ups, one heir who rarely visits the property decides to list with her.

Easing the load for a landlord

A property manager in Austin searches for small landlords who don’t use a management company. One owner juggling three single-family rentals finally says yes after hearing how much stress he could offload.

Working with heirs

Someone inherits a home they don’t want to maintain. PropStream makes it easy to find their contact info. A quick call and an empathetic conversation later, they agree to sell.

Helping someone in distress

A wholesaler targets properties with liens and pre-foreclosure notices. One homeowner, worried about losing everything, reaches out. With the right help, he sells as-is, pays off debts, and keeps his equity intact.

Supporting commercial owners

A debt broker utilizes PropStream to access LLC records and connect directly with shopping center owners. One call leads to a refinance at a better rate, saving the owner money and winning the broker new business.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re seeking off-market deals, building a rental portfolio, or offering services to property owners, the ability to locate owners and reach out matters quickly. 

PropStream aggregates ownership data, contact information, and marketing tools in a single dashboard. By defining your search area, applying filters, performing a skip trace, and launching multichannel campaigns, you can turn anonymous properties into warm conversations. This is how you build a real business, giving you back your time to build relationships and create win-win deals.