4 Ways To Find Likely Home Sellers for Free

By Vija Williams

Vija entered the residential real estate industry in 2001 after a successful career in marketing and sales for builders and developers.

One of the most common questions real estate agents ask is, “Where can I get the best list of likely sellers?” While there are companies that will take your money in exchange for seller leads, there are also effective free strategies to generate a strong list. I’m sharing below some of my proven methods to find sellers, including both no-cost and paid options:

1. Revisiting old buyers. One of the most surprising sources of likely sellers is your old buyers. Even if they didn’t end up buying a house with you, they likely purchased a home elsewhere. If you bonded with them and they liked working with you, they might be considering upgrading or selling now.

2. Harvesting your database. Another way to find likely sellers is by digging into your existing database, which is also called “harvesting your database.” You can do this with third-party software or by manually going through your contacts. The key is to send offers that encourage people to respond, also called MOFIR (Make an Offer for Immediate Response).

A simple but effective script for reconnecting with contacts is: “Hey, do you have any real estate-related plans this year?” This approach works well for re-engaging people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Since the average time spent in a home is seven to 10 years, many of your past leads may now be considering selling.

3. Using paid lead generation services. There are also paid services that generate likely seller lists using algorithms, credit card data, and behavioral indicators. While this method requires an investment, it can be worthwhile if there is a return on investment (ROI). If you choose to pay for seller leads, be sure to track your activity and progress to ensure that your marketing dollars are being used effectively.

4. Targeting old expired listings. Expired listings, particularly those from six to 12 months ago, are another strong source of seller leads. While calling new expired listings often leads to heavy competition and rejection, older expired listings may be easier to reach. These sellers are no longer receiving multiple calls per day and may still be interested in selling.

You can approach them by calling, stopping by their home, dropping off information, or providing them with market reports via email. Since they were motivated to sell in the past, they may still be looking for the right opportunity, especially with the changing market conditions.

Finding likely sellers doesn’t have to be expensive. Revisiting old buyers, harvesting your database, using lead generation services, and targeting old expired listings are all effective ways to generate seller leads. Just be proactive, follow up consistently, and track your results! If you need help with your real estate career or want to discuss these strategies, you can call me at 425-399-8808 for a one-on-one conversation.