Mail to the property often goes unread. Executors and heirs are frequently in another city or state.
Investor play · Probate and inherited homes
Probate leads, reached with care at the executor's own address.
Families settling an estate often inherit a house they don't want to manage, repair, or list. Spur helps you find estate-owned and inherited homes, reach the executor or heirs where they live, and send a respectful letter that offers a simple option, without pressure.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
Elena D. requested an offer · 1 hr ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
Estate-ownedproperties found in property records
Executorsand heirs reached at their own address
Respectfulletters you approve before mailing
The problem
Probate leads are valuable and easy to get wrong.
Families are grieving. Pushy "we buy houses" mail damages your reputation and gets thrown away.
Too early is intrusive. Too late and the house is already listed with an agent.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from estate record to a respectful first letter.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A probate list in Spur
Sample estate-owned and inherited homes in one county. Names are partly masked.
Mecklenburg County, NCEstate or recently inheritedSingle-familyEquity 60%+
- Estate of M. Diaz560 Commonwealth AveExecutor in Charlotte88% equity31 yrs
- Estate of R. Long3321 Eastway DrExecutor in Gastonia100% equity
- Heirs of J. Moss2702 Caldwell RdHeir in Macon, GAOut-of-stateVacant
- Estate of W. Grant6611 Wornall RdExecutor in Omaha, NEOut-of-state
- Estate of E. Simms1418 Lanier DrExecutor in CharlotteBuilt 1961
AI draft for Elena D. · Estate of M. Diaz
Dear Ms. Diaz,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your family member. I'm writing because settling an estate that includes a home brings a lot of decisions, and I wanted you to know about one simple option.
I buy houses in Charlotte as-is. That means no repairs, no clean-out, and no showings. I can work with the estate's attorney and close on whatever timeline the estate needs, including after probate is complete.
If that might help, scan the code or call me. If you'd rather not hear from me again, just let me know and I'll remove the estate from my list.
Marcus Hill · (704) 555-0142
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to work probate leads respectfully
Probate is the court process that settles a person's estate when they die. When the estate includes a house, the executor or administrator often needs to decide whether to keep it, list it, or sell it as-is. Many heirs live far away, don't want to manage repairs, and value a simple, certain sale. That's why probate leads convert well for investors.
Finding them starts with property records that show estate ownership and with probate filings, which are public in most counties. The key is reaching the right person: the executor or personal representative, at their own address, not the property address. Enrichment helps find that address even when they live out of state.
Tone matters more here than in any other campaign. Lead with condolences, explain one simple option, and never imply urgency or that the family has no choice. Use a sealed letter rather than a postcard, and include an easy way to opt out. Many investors wait at least several weeks after a filing before the first letter.
Remember that the executor may need court approval to sell, and an attorney is usually involved. Offer to work with the estate's attorney and on the estate's timeline. Check your state's rules on contacting estates, which can differ from other solicitation.
34×return on a year of Spur Team from one $20,000 probate deal
One probate purchase covers the year.
- Spur Team: $588/yr billed annually
- 150 estates × 3 letters = 450 letters at $1.39 = $626
- One $20,000 deal = 34× your subscription
Example math. Probate timelines and deal sizes vary widely. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual probate workflow
What you needThe usual waySpur
Probate and estate listCourthouse visits or list subscription✓ Built in
Executor's own addressManual research or skip tracing✓ Built in
Respectful letterGeneric "we buy houses" template✓ Built in
Sealed letter printingOffice printer and stamps✓ Built in
Gentle multi-month follow-upCalendar reminders✓ Built in
FAQ
Probate lead questions
What are probate leads?
Properties owned by an estate that's going through probate, the court process for settling a deceased person's affairs. The executor or heirs may want to sell the home.
How do I find probate leads?
Use property records that show estate ownership, and probate filings from your county court. Spur helps you find estate-owned homes and enrich the executor's contact details.
When should I send the first probate letter?
Many investors wait several weeks after a filing. The family needs time, and the executor needs to be appointed before they can make decisions.
Postcard or letter for probate?
A sealed letter. It's more private and more appropriate for a family going through a loss.
Can an executor sell during probate?
Often, but it may require court approval depending on the state and the estate. Offer to work with the estate's attorney and timeline.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
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