You call a motivated seller to find out whether the property and the person are a fit for a real conversation. That means starting with a verified contact and property record, identifying yourself and your real role, asking whether the person wants to discuss the property, listening for property condition, timeline, and decision process, and agreeing on one next step. Motive is learned from the conversation, never inferred from a death record or a list.
USLeadList fits before the dial. We publish this guide and sell monthly county files that match death records with property records, so you begin with a prepared prospecting input instead of assembling one from scratch. The file is not a telemarketing team, a qualified appointment, or a verified ready-to-call heir list. It is a recurring research input that reduces assembly work. You can review historical examples of fields and layout when you Get a Free Sample.
Prepare the record before the call
Open with the property, not the person's loss. Confirm the name and contact channel you have, the property tied to the record, and any prior contact note. If the record came from a death and property match, treat that as a research lead, not proof of title transfer, authority to sell, or motivation. Optional contact enrichment is separate from the base file and still requires independent verification; a phone number is not consent to call.
Before dialing, review the FTC Telemarketing overview as a starting point for compliance review. Federal and state rules, call purpose, technology, and recording requirements need qualified review for your specific workflow. Do not treat a bought number or public record as permission. Honor any request not to be contacted.
A first-conversation opening
Use a short, neutral opening that gives the person an easy exit. This is an adaptable example for an appropriately reviewed contact, not permission to call.
Hello, this is [Name] with [Company]. I am a real estate investor, and my company buys property in [Area]. I am calling about [Property reference] to ask whether you would consider selling it. Would you like to discuss that, or would you prefer I not call again?
If the person says no, stop. If the person says yes, ask what they know about the property and whether they want to discuss it. Do not assume grief, urgency, debt, or family conflict. Do not press for relatives' numbers. If you have the wrong person, apologize and end the call.
Ask questions that clarify fit
Your questions clarify whether the property and the decision process fit a next step, while verification of the record stays a separate task.
| What to establish | Useful question | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Property condition | What is the property like today, and who handles upkeep? | Repair cost, vacancy, or willingness to sell |
| Existing representation | Are you already working with an agent or attorney on this property? | Authority to sell or a clear title |
| Who can decide | Who else is involved in decisions about the property? | That the person you reached can sell |
| Timing or price expectations | What timing or price would you be considering? | A firm offer, discount, or completed transfer |
Uncertainty is a pause for verification, not an objection to overcome. If the person does not know, ask what they would need to find out and who they would ask. Record minimal useful notes: contact preferences, channel, what was discussed, and the agreed follow-up. Distinguish contacts, conversations, appointments, and purchases so your pipeline does not inflate.
Set one clear next step
End with a specific, low-pressure next step: a time to talk again, a document to review, or a referral to the right decision maker. If there is no interest, close the loop and note it. If someone asks you to stop contacting them, honor that request and stop contact. For more wording options, see motivated seller script. If your workflow includes mail, review real estate direct mail marketing separately.
Where prepared data helps
Monthly county delivery supports planning and reduces recurring assembly work. You still verify the contact, the property, and the person's role. The source does not require a probate filing, but every record is not guaranteed to precede probate, and distribution is capped at three USLeadList subscribers per lead. That limit is defined, not market-wide exclusivity. It is matched prospecting data, not a court file or permission to call.
For county pricing and availability, request a quote.