Hidden Gold: 5 Overlooked Probate Lead Sources Every REsides Agent Should Tap

In real estate, especially in niche markets like probate, the right lead at the right time can make all the difference. Yet most agents and brokers stick to the same overworked sources—and miss out on deals hiding in plain sight.

If you're working the probate space, especially as a REsides professional, you already know this isn’t a volume game—it’s a relationship game. But too many stop short of building the right connections in the right places.

Here are five underused but highly effective sources of probate leads that most real estate investors and agents ignore. Use them to get ahead—and stay there.

1. Build Relationships at Senior Living Facilities

Senior care facilities are more than service providers—they’re transition hubs. Families often need to sell a loved one’s home to cover living expenses or simplify estates. This is where you come in.

What to do:

Reach out to facility managers. Offer value first—free educational sessions, checklists for selling inherited property, or contacts for estate services. Be present, not pushy. If you build trust, they’ll remember your name when families need a real estate solution.

2. Partner with Estate Sale Companies

Estate sale companies are on the front lines when families are liquidating assets. Most of their clients are either in or entering probate. These professionals often know before anyone else that a property will be up for sale.

How to make it work:

Introduce yourself to local estate sale organizers and offer to collaborate. Maybe you help appraise homes. Maybe you refer them clients. The goal: become part of their referral network. You’ll get early access to listings most agents never see.

3. Use Probate Lead Providers—Smartly

Plenty of agents dismiss lead providers as low-value or impersonal. Big mistake. The right provider can give you accurate, real-time data on probate cases—without the legwork.

Tips for success:

Choose vetted providers with a track record of clean, useful data (e.g., All The Leads). Use their info to get ahead on outreach and conversion while your competitors are still combing through court records.

4. Talk to Funeral Directors—With Care

This isn’t about pitching during grief. It’s about positioning yourself as a resource for families who need help—sometimes quickly. Funeral home directors often field questions from families unsure what to do with a home after a loss.

How to approach it:

Offer useful, non-salesy material they can pass along: probate checklists, estate planning guides, or info on how to avoid common mistakes. Focus on being helpful, not transactional. Your reputation will carry.

5. Collaborate with Probate Attorneys and Estate Planners

If you’re not connecting with attorneys and planners, you’re late to the party. These professionals know who’s handling property before any listing is public.

How to open doors:

Offer to speak at their events, provide insight on current market values, or develop a clear referral arrangement. Show respect for their role and back it up with your probate experience. Be the broker who understands both real estate and sensitive family dynamics.

Smart Agents Look Beyond the Obvious

If you're only pulling leads from the MLS or waiting for referrals, you're missing a huge opportunity in the probate market. These five sources are underutilized—but that’s your advantage.

Start today. Reach out, build the right connections, and become the go-to probate expert in your market. As a REsides agent, you’re already part of a powerful network. Use that strength—and these strategies—to generate leads where others aren’t even looking.