Absentee owners are one of the most overlooked - but highly valuable - lead sources in real estate. In The Share Group’s latest live workshop, CEO Tim Slevin and Account Executive Avery revealed why this segment offers a massive opportunity, and how agents can tap in using data-backed strategies and tools.
Absentee owners are property owners who don’t live in the homes they own. These may be:
Rental properties
Vacation or second homes
Inherited properties
Investment portfolios (mom-and-pop landlords)
What makes them gold for agents? Low competition and high transaction potential. While many agents chase expireds and FSBOs, absentee owners are more accessible and often less emotionally tied to their properties - making them more likely to sell.
💡 "About 20–25% of all real estate closings come from absentee owners, yet few agents actively prospect them." - Brandon Mulrenin
The Share Group emphasized the power of hyper-targeting. You can filter absentee lists by:
Age (e.g., 65+ “senior landlords” nearing retirement)
Out-of-state owners
Mom-and-pop investors (owning 3+ properties)
Recent purchasers with low equity
Vacation home hotspots
Debt-free properties (8M+ in the U.S.)
Owners over 70 (2.6M+ in the database)
These layers allow agents to personalize their outreach and tailor scripts to specific motivations - whether they’re offloading rentals, consolidating investments, or downsizing.
Tim and Avery emphasized one thing above all: consistency beats intensity.
Top outreach channels:
Phone calls (most effective for building trust)
Direct mail (for brand familiarity)
Email (valuable info + tracking via tools like Homebot)
A simple call script can go a long way:
“Hey [Name], I’m calling about your property on [Street]. What are your plans for it?”
Even casual check-ins like “Are you still using the place as much as you used to?” can open the door to future listings.
The workshop unveiled an Absentee Owner Toolkit provided by The Share Group, including:
Downloadable lead lists by ZIP code or county
Email + phone data
Call-to-close ROI calculator (from coach Jake Dixon)
Real-world scripts and coaching videos
30% bonus lead credits through July 4th
Filters for absentee niche targeting (vacation, senior, equity level, etc.)
Agents can sort and analyze leads to find multi-property owners or those located far from their investments - a signal they may be ready to sell.
With new home sales down, interest rates still high, and inventory up 30%, competition is fierce. Tim referred to today’s climate as a “professional’s market” where agents must take control of their own pipelines.
Working absentee leads isn’t about quick wins - it’s about building a 3-9 month pipeline that produces consistent listings.
Be first: 80% of sellers list with the first agent they talk to.
Be consistent: Daily prospecting trumps one-off bursts.
Be strategic: Work smarter by filtering absentee data by age, location, equity, and owner type.
Be personal: Build rapport with customized outreach.
If you missed the live session, reach out to your Share Group rep or create a free account to explore absentee leads in your area.
Log in to The Share Group Lead Store and discover absentee owners in your market - plus get your toolkit, bonus lead credits, and a personalized strategy session.