Off-market homes: how to find houses that are not on Zillow
Off-market homes are houses that are not listed for sale. To find them, start from owners, not listings: use county records to find unpaid tax, inherited houses, absentee owners and vacant homes, then write to the owner. LeadCounty tracks 932,679 tax-delinquent and 21,188 newly inherited properties.
What off-market means
An off-market home is not on the MLS or on listing websites. The owner may be thinking about selling, may be forced to, or may never have thought about it until someone asks.
Five ways to find them
- County tax records: owners behind on property tax.
- County recorder: inheritance deeds and long-held properties.
- Court records: foreclosure filings and probate.
- City records: code violations and vacant-building lists.
- Driving a neighborhood and then looking up the owner in the county record.
Turn a lead into a conversation
- Find the owner of record and mailing address.
- Write a short honest letter. Say who you are and what you offer.
- Follow your state's rules on calls, texts and contracts.
- Check value and repairs before you make an offer.
Check the home before you offer
Look at the property file, then check the home and nearby sales on public websites and in person if you can. Run the numbers with the maximum-offer calculator.
Limits
County records show who owns a home and signals of pressure. They do not tell you whether the owner will sell. Expect most letters to get no reply and test small.
Official sources and further reading
- USA.gov: find local government offices
- National Association of Counties
- 15 U.S.C. 7701 (CAN-SPAM Act)
- 47 U.S.C. 227 (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)
Outside sites are run by their owners. General information, not legal or financial advice.
Questions
How do I find off-market properties?
Start from owner signals in county records, such as unpaid tax, an inheritance or an absentee owner, then contact the owner.
Are off-market homes cheaper?
Sometimes. There is less competition, but the price still has to work for the seller and for you.
Where can I see homes that are not on Zillow?
In county records. Every property has an owner and a tax record whether or not it is listed.
Is it legal to contact owners of unlisted homes?
Yes, with the contact rules for mail, calls and texts in your state. Ask a local attorney.
How we make these guides
Written by the LeadCounty editorial and data team from official county, court and state sources and our own weekly counts. We name the office behind every number, say what we cannot see, and fix mistakes when you tell us. See our editorial standards and methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice. Refreshed weekly.
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