How to Find Real Estate Agent Leads with the Best Conversion Potential

Let’s face it: not all real estate agent leads are created equal. While many agents rely on generic lists purchased from third-party sources, these often come with two major issues: competition and outdated information.

The reality is, these same leads are typically handed out to multiple agents in the same market, leading to overlap and lower conversion rates. Plus, with little more than a name and an address, you’re left guessing whether the homeowner is even remotely interested in selling. This can lead to wasted time, ineffective outreach, and a major hit to your marketing budget.

Agents may have the luxury of being more lax with their lead-generation methods if they have a solid referral-based business. However, for new agents just entering the industry or ones who want to experience significant growth quickly, the first step is taking control of your lead generation by tapping into off-market properties—specifically, properties owned by people who are highly motivated to sell.

Let’s explore exactly how you can take control of your lead-generation strategy, find these motivated leads, and increase conversions.

Building Your Own High-Converting Real Estate Agent Lead Lists

Creating your own lead lists using alternative resources like real estate data allows you to go beyond a name and address.

With more readily accessible, in-depth information, you can find qualified leads before reaching out, so you’re not just making cold calls—you’re making informed ones. With the right tools, you can identify owners who are much more likely to hear your pitch rather than hang up before you’ve finished saying your name.

PropStream makes this process efficient and scalable. Instead of spending a fortune on pay-per-lead platforms, PropStream allows you to access property and owner data for nearly any address in your county—filtering through hundreds of thousands of off-market properties to find the ones most likely to convert. You can then build custom lead lists based on multiple signs of motivation, all while avoiding owners who show no indication of wanting to sell.

For example, if someone just bought their home, has little equity, is locked in a low mortgage rate, and the property is appreciating, they’re not likely to sell anytime soon.

But a homeowner with high equity, signs of financial distress, or personal life changes might be eager to speak with an experienced agent to learn about their options.

Signs a Homeowner Might Be Motivated to Sell

When searching for high-converting leads, the key is understanding the life events and financial signals that point to an owner’s urgency or desire to sell their property.

PropStream’s data gives you insight into these situations, helping you connect with motivated sellers before they list.

Here are some indicators that an owner might be ready to sell:

• Failed or expired listings: These homeowners were recently open to selling but didn’t succeed—possibly due to poor marketing or pricing strategy. A skilled agent with a fresh approach could make all the difference.
• Pre-foreclosure or upside-down mortgages: Financial stress is a major motivator for selling quickly. If the property is in default or the mortgage exceeds the home’s value, the owner may be looking for fast solutions.
• Senior owners with high equity: Older homeowners in multi-story homes may be physically or emotionally ready to downsize. If they’ve owned the property for decades, they likely have substantial equity, opening the door to purchasing their dream home.
• Divorcees or inherited property owners: These life events often require asset liquidation, and owners may be eager to sell and move on if they lack the emotional or financial capacity to manage the remaining properties.
• Liens, tax delinquencies, or bankruptcy: These financial flags indicate the owner may not be able to maintain the property much longer.

But how do you find these homeowners? PropStream It!

PropStream offers pre-built Lead Lists and stackable filters for these scenarios. Save your leads to multiple lists organized by niche, location, etc., collect contact information (like email addresses and phone numbers), and kickstart your marketing campaign right within the platform.

In just a few hours, you’ve created high-converting lead lists with thousands of qualified leads and started the first step of your campaign—all without leaving your house or office.

3 Sample Use Cases: Finding High-Converting Real Estate Agent Leads with PropStream

Here’s how real estate agents can use PropStream’s data-driven filters to generate high-converting leads with precision:

1. The Overwhelmed Divorcee with Multiple Properties

An agent contacts owners who appear on both the “Divorcee” Lead List and “Luxury” Property Condition filter (powered by PropStream Intelligence™).

By combining these with PropStream’s "# of Properties Owned" filter and "Linked Properties" feature, they find a divorcing couple with four high-end vacation homes. The agent facilitates the sale of these properties to a luxury investor looking to expand their portfolio—offering a fast resolution for the sellers and a high return for the agent.

2. Senior Owner in a Two-Story Home

An agent uses the “Senior Owner” Lead List and the property feature filter that indicates 2+ stories.

They uncover a property where the owner has struggled with upkeep and is ready to move into a single-level home closer to family. The agent helps the owner maximize the property’s value by connecting them with an investor for a quick close, and the seller walks away with substantial equity in hand.

3. Upside-Down Mortgage with Impending Foreclosure

Using PropStream’s Foreclosure Factor filter (powered by PropStream Intelligence™) and “Upside Down” Lead List, the agent identifies a homeowner at high risk of default who owes more than the home’s current market value.

They work with an investor to negotiate a short sale, avoiding foreclosure and helping the seller exit gracefully via a quick deal.

Find the Sellers Who Want to Work with You—PropStream It

Homeowners facing major life or financial shifts don’t always have the time, knowledge, or resources to market and manage the sale of a property on their own. That’s where your expertise as an agent comes in.

You can guide them through a difficult transition and help them achieve the best possible outcome.

By using PropStream’s data, convenient filtering capabilities, and built-in marketing tools, you can take a smarter approach to lead generation—focusing only on high-potential leads and building a more efficient and profitable business.