The Best Type of Leads to Target When Paper Flipping Houses

When it comes to paper flipping houses (property wholesaling), finding the right leads is everything. Since you're not buying or fixing the property yourself, your profit depends entirely on how well you find and assign undervalued deals. But with so many lead types out there, which ones are the most promising for paper flipping?

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Let’s break down the best types of leads to target when paper flipping houses so that you can close deals quickly and profitably.

1. Motivated Sellers

These are gold in paper flipping. Motivated sellers are individuals who need to sell fast due to life circumstances like:

• Divorce

• Job relocation

• Foreclosure

• Inherited property

• Medical or financial hardship

They are often more willing to accept cash offers and flexible terms, making them ideal for quick assignments.

Tip: Use skip tracing tools and platforms like PropStream or REIPro to locate motivated seller lists.

2. Pre-Foreclosures

Homeowners in pre-foreclosure are behind on payments but haven’t lost the property yet. These sellers are highly motivated and need a solution fast.

Why it works: You can step in, offer a deal that helps them avoid foreclosure, and assign the contract to an investor looking for a discounted property.

Tip: The transaction must occur before the house is repossessed.

3. Absentee Owners

These are landlords or property owners who don’t live in the home and may be tired of managing the property.

Look for:

• Out-of-state owners

• Owners with multiple properties

• Owners who’ve had long-term tenants or ongoing repairs

Why it works: They are often open to quick sales, especially if the property has become a burden, however, if they are an absentee investor they most often will want full appraisal value.

4. Vacant Properties

A vacant property is a red flag that the owner may be ready to offload. These leads are less emotionally tied to the property, and many want to cash out without hassle.

How to find them: Drive for dollars, use local tax records, or search using real estate lead generation tools.

5. Probate Properties

When a homeowner passes away, the property may go into probate. These deals can take longer, but they often come with motivated heirs who prefer cash over managing a property they don’t want.

Pro tip: Work with a probate attorney or get access to county probate records.

6. Code Violations or Distressed Properties

Properties with code violations, overgrown lawns, or obvious neglect signal owners who may not have the resources or time to keep up. These are ideal for investors looking for fixer-uppers, and as a paper flipper, you can step in and pass the deal along.

Final Thoughts

The key to successful paper flipping houses is focusing on leads where the seller has a problem and you can offer a solution. Motivated sellers, vacant homes, absentee owners, and pre-foreclosures are all excellent places to start.

Keep refining your lead lists, follow up consistently, and always approach each conversation with the intent to help. That’s how you build a reputation—and a business—that lasts.

Need help building your lead list? Sign up for our upcoming training courses.