DataSift

SiftMap Mastery

Turn market research into targeted property lists

Market Finder told you where to invest. SiftMap is how you pull the data, stack the filters, and build lists that actually convert into deals.

14 min read Market Analysis $0 - $297/mo
The Problem

Most Investors Pull Lists Backwards

They grab 50,000 records from a county, blast cold calls, and wonder why nobody picks up. The list was never the problem. The targeting was.

SiftMap is the data engine inside DataSift. It lets you pull property records by filtering on dozens of criteria: property type, value range, equity, ownership duration, distress indicators, and geographic precision down to the neighborhood level.

But a tool is only as good as the strategy behind it. This guide walks you through the filter layering process that turns a raw county of records into a surgical list matched to your exact marketing budget and deal capacity.

Prerequisite: This page picks up where Market Finder Workflow left off. Market Finder identifies your best counties, zip codes, and neighborhoods. SiftMap is where you pull the actual records based on those findings.

The Filter Layering Funnel

Each layer shrinks the list and increases targeting precision. Fewer records, higher conversion, smarter marketing spend.

~48,000  County-wide base criteria
~25,000  Zip code filtered
~542  Neighborhood + distressors
~270  + AI score filter

Real example: Ramsey County, MN (from Market Analysis training)

Getting Started

Getting Oriented in SiftMap

SiftMap lives inside your DataSift account. Here is how to navigate the interface and understand what you are looking at.

1

Open SiftMap

From your DataSift dashboard, click SiftMap in the left navigation. You will see a map view with a filter panel on the left side.

SiftMap filter panel interface

The SiftMap filter panel with basic and advanced filter options.

2

Understand the Filter Categories

Basic filters: Estimated value, beds/baths, prospect list presets (equity tiers, foreclosure statuses). Advanced filters: Square footage, year built, lot size, vacancy, absentee status, cash buyer history, MLS status, days on market. Pro filters: Geographic targeting, distressor indicators, owner details (requires SiftMap Pro).

Basic filters: MLS and foreclosure

Basic filters: MLS status, listing price, and foreclosure indicators. Available on all plans.

Advanced filters: property characteristics

Advanced filters: property characteristics like square footage, year built, and vacancy.

3

Check Your Property Details

Click any property pin to see four tabs of data: Property (structure, land, tax info), Owner (name, address, mortgage, equity, other properties), Comps (comparable sold properties), and History (transactions, mortgages, MLS, foreclosures).

Property details tab

Property tab: structure, land, and tax data.

Owner details tab

Owner tab: name, mortgage, equity, other properties.

Plan Record Limits

Every plan includes free monthly records. Max 10,000 per single upload. Additional records cost $5 per 10,000.

PlanMonthly Free RecordsSkip TraceSiftMap Pro
Professional ($149/mo)10,000$0.15/record+$297/mo add-on
Business ($299/mo)25,000$0.15/record+$297/mo add-on
Expert ($499/mo)50,000UnlimitedIncluded
AI ($1,250/mo)100,000UnlimitedIncluded

Who Can Add Records?

Only Sensei/Owner, Super Admin, Admin, and Marketer roles can add records from SiftMap. All other roles (Cleaner, Acquisitions, Dispositions, Lead Manager, Researcher, Prospector) are view-only.

Filter Layer 1

Base Characteristics

Five filters that form the foundation of every list pull. These alone reduce a county from hundreds of thousands of properties to a workable starting set.

Validation step: Use your Sold Properties analysis to verify these base criteria ranges match what is actually trading in your market. The filters below are starting points. Your sold data tells you whether to tighten or expand them.

🏠
Asset Type
💰
Value Range
📅
Year Built
🕒
Years Owned
📈
Equity

Asset Type: Single Family Residential

Start with single-family residential. This is your bread and butter for wholesaling, flipping, and rental acquisitions. SiftMap also supports mobile homes, townhouses, multi-family, commercial, land, condos, RV parks, and warehouses.

When to expand: If your market has strong manufactured housing or duplex activity (check Sold Properties), add those property types to your base criteria. But start narrow. One asset type, one strategy.

Estimated Value: The 60% Price Range

This is the single most important filter for cost efficiency. Your Market Finder analysis identified the median home value for your county. The 60% price range captures properties from roughly 40% below to 20% above that median.

Example: If median home value is $375K, your 60% range might be $200K to $600K. This eliminates ultra-cheap properties with thin margins and luxury homes that sit for months.

Source: Pull this number directly from your Market Finder analysis. Do not guess.

Year Built: Market-Dependent Starting Point

In most markets, 2000 or earlier is a solid starting point. Newer builds have less deferred maintenance and fewer ownership transitions, which means fewer motivated sellers. But this is not a universal rule.

Validate with Sold Properties: Check what year-built ranges are actually transacting in your market. In markets with heavy post-2000 construction (Phoenix, Austin, parts of Florida), you might shift to 2005 or earlier. In older markets (Midwest, Northeast), 1990 or earlier could sharpen your list. Let the sold data guide you, not a universal cutoff.

Years Owned: 5+ Years Minimum

Owners who bought in the last 1-4 years are still in "new home" mode. They paid near-peak prices, have low equity, and have zero motivation to sell at a discount. Five-plus years of ownership means real equity accumulation and lifestyle changes that create motivation.

Turnover rate signal: If adding this filter drops your record count by 50%, half the properties in that area changed hands in the last 5 years. That is a market velocity indicator worth noting.

Equity: 30% or Higher

Low-equity owners cannot sell at a discount because there is no spread. You need owners with enough equity to absorb your wholesale fee or accept a below-market offer and still walk away with cash in their pocket.

Regional exception: In Texas and California, where property values are high and appreciation cycles are different, 20% equity can still work. Everywhere else, 30% is the floor.

Available presets: SiftMap includes preset equity tiers: Low Equity (0-20%), High Equity (30-99%), and Free and Clear (100%).

Standard Filter Panels in SiftMap

These are the standard filter panels available on all SiftMap plans. The base criteria above map directly to these UI controls.

SiftMap MLS Filters and Foreclosure Filters panel

MLS Filters (Status, Listing Price, Sold Date) and Foreclosure Filters (Auction Date, Notice Date, Status, Notice Type). Available on all plans.

SiftMap Financial Details filter panel

Financial Details: Equity %, Estimated Value, Last Sales Price, Suggested Rent, Assessed Value. Set your 60% price range and 30%+ equity floor here.

SiftMap Property Details filter panel

Property Details: Heated SqFt, Lot Size, Year Built, # of Units, Vacant status, Flood Zone. Check your Sold Properties data to set the right Year Built range for your market.

If your 5-year ownership filter drops records by 50%, that is a turnover rate signal. Half the properties changed hands in 5 years. That tells you the market is active and competitive. Factor that into your channel strategy.
Filter Layer 2

Geographic Targeting

Geography is where Market Finder analysis becomes SiftMap execution. Three levels of precision, each requiring different plan tiers.

County-Level: The Starting Point

Every SiftMap user starts at the county level. Select your target county, apply base characteristics, and you get a broad count. In a mid-size metro county, expect 30,000 to 60,000 records after base criteria filtering.

Marketing strategy at this size: Bulk sequential marketing. Power dialers like ReadyMode handle this volume. Cheapest channel first: SMS, then cold call. You cannot afford to mail or door knock 48,000 properties.

Use case: Operators who want maximum reach and rely on volume-based calling campaigns.

Zip Code: Where Precision Starts

Your Market Finder Zip Code Analysis ranked zip codes by four metrics: median sales price, days on market, median home value, and investor transaction volume. Those rankings become your SiftMap geographic filters.

Market Finder Zip Code Analysis tab showing ranked zip codes

Your Market Finder Zip Code Analysis tab. These rankings feed directly into SiftMap geographic filters.

The workflow: Take your top 3-5 zip codes from Market Finder. Enter them as geographic filters in SiftMap. Your 48,000-record county list drops to 20,000-25,000.

Marketing strategy at this size: Bulk sequential marketing with direct mail. The list is small enough for mail to be cost-effective alongside your calling campaigns, and the zip codes were selected for investor activity and market velocity.

Warning: Dark zip codes on the heat map can be misleading. A zip code with high investor transaction volume might also have 75+ days on market. Always cross-reference with days on market and median price before selecting.

Neighborhood: Surgical Precision SiftMap Pro Required

This is where real precision happens. Bad zip codes can contain great neighborhoods. Market Finder's Neighborhood Analysis revealed which micro-areas within your top zips actually perform. SiftMap Pro lets you filter down to those specific neighborhoods.

Market Finder Neighborhood Analysis tab showing ranked neighborhoods

Your Market Finder Neighborhood Analysis tab. These neighborhood rankings become your SiftMap Pro neighborhood filters.

Example: In Ramsey County, MN, zip code 55108 looked poor overall. But the neighborhood Como Park North within that zip code had excellent metrics: low days on market, active investor transactions, and properties within the 60% price range.

Marketing strategy at this size: Niche sequential marketing. At 200-500 records, you can afford the full 3-day cadence: call, text, direct mail, door knock. Every property gets multiple touches across every channel.

📍
SiftMap Pro: $297/mo add-on

Included free with Expert ($499/mo) and AI ($1,250/mo) plans. Required for neighborhood-level geographic filtering, distressor indicators, and expanded owner details.

Do

Use Market Finder rankings to select zip codes and neighborhoods. Cross-reference investor transaction volume with days on market. Re-evaluate quarterly.

Don't

Pick the darkest heat map zip without checking other metrics. Ignore neighborhood data within a weak zip code. Assume last quarter's top area is still the best.

Auto-Generated Lists

Prospect List Presets

When you add records from SiftMap, the system automatically generates and assigns relevant lists. These lists let you prioritize and segment your data without manual tagging.

Eight prospect lists automatically assigned to every record based on property and owner data. Available on all plans.

Free prospect lists in SiftMap

The 8 free prospect lists auto-assigned to records.

Owners who own the property outright with no mortgage. Maximum flexibility for deal structuring. Often older homeowners who have paid off their mortgage over decades.
Owners with significant equity built up. Enough spread to absorb a wholesale fee or below-market offer while still leaving cash for the seller.
Owners with minimal equity. These are typically newer purchases or properties in flat/declining markets. Limited wholesale potential but useful for identifying novation or subject-to candidates.
Owners who owe more than the property is worth. Traditional wholesale does not work here, but short sale, subject-to, or novation strategies may apply.
The owner lives at the property. Different marketing approach than absentee owners. These sellers often have emotional attachment and need a longer nurture cycle.
Owner does not live at the property. Often landlords, inherited property holders, or out-of-state owners. Higher motivation to sell due to management burden or distance.
Properties in the early stages of foreclosure proceedings. Owners facing default but still have time to sell. High urgency, high motivation. Time-sensitive outreach required.
Properties in active foreclosure. Auction dates set. Even more urgent than pre-foreclosure. These are first-to-market opportunities if you can move fast.

24 specialized distressor lists auto-assigned when records are added via SiftMap Pro. These identify specific motivation triggers at the owner and property level.

Pro distressor lists in SiftMap

The 24 Pro distressor lists for granular segmentation.

Pre-Foreclosure Variants

Notice of Default, Lis Pendens, Court Order, Final Judgment. Each represents a different stage and urgency level in the foreclosure process.

Liens & Financial

Tax Lien, Federal Lien, HOA Lien, Judgment Lien, Tax Delinquent, Low Income, Short Term Loan. Financial pressure creates motivation to sell.

Life Events & Distress

Probate, Estate, Bankruptcy, Eviction, Vacancy, Divorce, Credit Distress. These are life disruptions that often trigger a property sale.

Demographics

Senior Homeowners. The second highest reason people sell their homes. Downsizing, health changes, estate planning.

List Stacking

A single property can appear on multiple lists simultaneously. An absentee owner who is also tax delinquent and senior appears on three lists. The more lists a property stacks, the higher the motivation signal.

Filter Layer 3

SiftMap Pro Distressors

Distressors are the motivation indicators that separate a cold list from a warm one. SiftMap Pro lets you filter by these categories before pulling records, so you only add high-potential properties to your CRM.

👤
Homeowner Distressors
5 indicators
🏘
Property Distressors
5 indicators
💵
Financial Distressors
7 indicators
Legal & Life Events
5 indicators

Homeowner Distressors

Indicators tied to the owner's personal situation and property relationship.

  • Senior Owners (55+/65+) Second highest reason people sell. Downsizing, health changes, estate planning.
  • Absentee (Out of State) Owner lives in a different state. Management burden increases with distance. Gold when combined with senior and multi-property.
  • Multi-Property Owners (3-6) Landlords with portfolio fatigue. Small portfolios are the sweet spot: big enough to be a burden, small enough that they handle it themselves.
  • Investor Type Filter by owner classification: investor, landlord, or primary resident. Useful for targeting tired landlords specifically.
  • 15+ Years Ownership Long-term owners who may be "tired landlords" in spirit. Small niche, high conversion. These owners have maximum equity and maximum lifestyle change since purchase.

Property Distressors

Indicators tied to the property condition or legal status.

  • Pre-Foreclosure (4 variants) Notice of Default, Lis Pendens, Court Order, Final Judgment. Each stage represents increasing urgency.
  • Vacant No one living at the property. Often indicates abandonment, recent move-out, or estate situation. No utility connections.
  • Eviction Active eviction proceedings. The owner is dealing with a problem tenant and may be motivated to sell the headache entirely.
  • Code Violations Municipal code enforcement actions. The owner faces fines and repair mandates. Selling becomes easier than fixing.
  • MLS Status Filter by active, pending, expired, or withdrawn listings. Expired and withdrawn are strong motivation signals.

Financial Distressors

Indicators tied to the owner's financial situation and property economics.

  • Tax Delinquent Owner has not paid property taxes. In Florida, 7.5% of private sellers are tax delinquent. High value exchange: solve their tax problem, get a deal.
  • Tax Lien Government lien filed against the property for unpaid taxes.
  • Federal Lien IRS or federal agency lien. Adds legal complexity but also motivation.
  • HOA Lien Homeowner association lien for unpaid dues. Common in subdivisions and condos.
  • Judgment Lien Court-ordered lien from a lawsuit. Creates title issues that motivate sale.
  • Low Income Owner income below area median. May lack resources for maintenance and repairs.
  • Short Term Loan Adjustable rate or balloon mortgage approaching reset. Payment shock creates urgency.

Pro Filter Panels in SiftMap

These Pro-exclusive filter panels unlock distressor targeting, advanced geography, owner demographics, and data quality controls.

SiftMap Pro Homeowner and Property Distressors, Advanced Geography, and Data Details filters

Pro filter panel: Homeowner and Property Distressors with "Stacked" option (two or more distressors), Advanced Geography (ZIP, City, Neighborhood, Municipality with Include/Exclude), and Data Details quality filters.

SiftMap Pro Owner Details filters

Owner Details (Pro): Filter by Owner Age, Mailing Address is Post Office (absentee indicator), Owner is Investor, and Owners with Multiple Properties.

How Distressors Appear on Records

When you pull records with distressor filters, each property shows which prospect lists it matches. This is how you verify your targeting is working.

7400 Battle Creek Ln property summary with AI scores

7400 Battle Creek Ln at a glance: AI scores (100/86/84), 89% equity, Off Market status, and distressor tags visible without clicking into the record.

Property details with Lists tab showing distressor matches

The same property expanded. The Lists tab shows matched Prospect Lists (High Equity, Owner Occupied) and Distressors PRO (Pre-Foreclosures, Bankruptcy Properties). This is how you verify your filter targeting is working.

🔒
SiftMap Pro: $297/mo add-on

Included with Expert ($499/mo) and AI ($1,250/mo) plans. Unlocks all distressor filters, geographic neighborhood targeting, expanded owner details, and buyer data.

Filter Layer 4

AI Scoring Layer

The final filter. AI scores predict the likelihood of a property transaction before it happens. Adding an AI score filter of 50-100 cuts your list by roughly 50% while keeping the highest-probability leads.

🎯
Investor AI Score (Off-Market)
Included in AI plan ($1,250/mo)
🏠
Realtor AI Score
$297/mo add-on
📊
Investor AI Score (On-Market)
$297/mo add-on

Investor AI Score (Off-Market)

Predicts the likelihood a property will sell to an investor in an off-market transaction. This is the primary score for wholesalers, flippers, and buy-and-hold investors doing outbound marketing.

How to use: Add the AI score filter in SiftMap and set the range to 50-100. Properties scoring above 50 have characteristics that historically correlate with investor purchases: equity levels, ownership duration, owner demographics, and distressor presence.

Pricing: Included in the AI plan ($1,250/mo). Also available as a $297/mo add-on for Expert plan subscribers. Off-Market AI Score is county-specific.

Realtor AI Score

Predicts the likelihood a property will list on the MLS with an agent before it actually lists. Useful for agents and novation investors who want to reach homeowners before they sign with someone else.

How to use: Filter for scores 50-100 to find properties likely to list soon. For novation strategies, combine with the Investor AI Score (On-Market) to identify properties likely to both list and attract investor buyers.

Pricing: $297/mo add-on. Available for all plan tiers. Nationwide coverage.

Investor AI Score (On-Market)

Scores every MLS-listed property nationwide for the likelihood of an investor purchase. This is the key score for novation investors and anyone targeting listed properties.

How to use: Add this score as a filter on active MLS listings. Properties with high on-market investor scores are likely to sell to an investor, making them strong novation candidates.

Novation targeting example: AI score 50+ (off-market) combined with Realtor AI score 50+ and 15-30% equity = properties likely to list AND likely to sell to investors. One training example showed 880 records dropping to 346 after adding the Realtor score filter.

Pricing: $297/mo add-on. Available for all plan tiers. Nationwide coverage.

AI Score Filters in SiftMap

The AI Scores panel shows all three score types with range inputs. Set your minimum to 50 to filter for high-probability properties.

AI Scores filter panel in SiftMap

The AI Scores filter panel. Set ranges for Investor AI Score (Off-Market), Investor AI Score (On-Market), and Realtor AI Score. Note: Off-Market AI Score only works for counties you are subscribed to.

Impact on List Size

Adding an AI score filter of 50-100 dramatically reduces list size while concentrating on the highest-probability properties.

~25,000
Zip Code Filtered
~542
Neighborhood + Distressors
~12,000
Zip Code + AI (~50% reduction)
~270
Neighborhood + Distressors + AI
Strategy

Building & Saving Presets

This is where Market Finder analysis becomes a repeatable system. Build tiered presets based on your market research so you never start a data pull from scratch again.

SiftMap lets you save complex filter configurations as named presets. Instead of rebuilding 8 filters every time you pull data, you select a preset from a dropdown and pull. The strategy is to build three tiers of presets, each tied to a different list size and marketing budget.

T1
Hyper-Targeted
200-500
Niche sequential marketing
T2
Focused
20K-25K
Bulk sequential + mail
T3
Volume
48K+
Cold call only

Tier 1: Hyper-Targeted (200-500 Records)

Filters: Base criteria + top 3-5 neighborhoods (from Market Finder) + 2-3 stacked distressors + AI score 50-100 (if available).

Marketing: Niche sequential marketing. Every property gets the full 3-day cadence: call, text, direct mail, door knock. At this list size, you can afford to touch every property across every channel.

Example preset name: "Ramsey T1 - Como Park Senior Absentee"

Review cadence: Weekly. At 200 records, you should know the status of every property.

Tier 2: Focused (20,000-25,000 Records)

Filters: Base criteria + top 3-5 zip codes (from Market Finder). No distressor stacking at this level, just geographic focus.

Marketing: Bulk sequential marketing with direct mail layered in. The list is too large for door knocking but small enough for mail to generate ROI.

Example preset name: "Ramsey T2 - Top Zips Base Criteria"

Review cadence: Monthly. Check which zip codes are producing responses and deals. Promote top performers to Tier 1.

Tier 3: Volume (48,000+ Records)

Filters: Base criteria only, county-wide. No geographic or distressor filtering. This is your broad-reach campaign.

Marketing: Bulk sequential marketing via power dialer (ReadyMode). At this volume, you are fishing with a net, not a spear. Cheapest channel first: SMS ($0.01), then cold call ($0.03-$0.06).

Example preset name: "Ramsey T3 - County Cold Call"

Review cadence: Quarterly. Assess which counties are worth keeping in the rotation.

Default Presets vs. Custom Presets

Every SiftMap account comes with 20 default presets (Judgment, Quick Resale, Adjustable Loans, Negative Equity, Cash Buyer, Bank Owned REO, and more). These are a starting point. The real power is building your own custom presets based on your Market Finder research and target strategy.

SiftMap Default Presets tab showing 20 system presets

Default Presets: 20 system-generated presets available on every account. Good starting point, but custom presets built from your Market Finder data are where the real targeting happens.

SiftMap Saved Presets tab showing 4 custom presets by Ty Garrett

Saved Presets: Ty's 4 custom presets. Each pairs a data strategy (AI score or stacked distressors) with a geographic tier from Market Finder.

Ty's Preset Strategy: Two Parallel Approaches

These presets run two data strategies in parallel. AI score presets target the algorithmic signal. The equity + stacked preset targets the motivation signal. Different data, different angles, same market.

AI Score Presets (3 Geographic Tiers)

Each preset pairs Single Family + AI Score 50+ with a different geographic tier from Market Finder.

  • Tier 1 Zips: Best-performing zip codes from Market Finder. Smallest list, highest probability. Niche sequential marketing.
  • Tier 2 Zips: Good zip codes with solid metrics but not top performers. Mid-size list. Bulk sequential + mail.
  • Tier 3 Zips: County-wide with AI filter applied. Largest list, broadest reach. Bulk sequential via power dialer.

Stacked Distressor Preset

Single Family + 50% Equity + Stacked uses SiftMap Pro's stacked distressor list instead of AI scoring.

This preset targets owners with at least 50% equity who match two or more distressor indicators (senior + absentee, tax delinquent + vacant, pre-foreclosure + multi-property). No AI subscription required. Just SiftMap Pro ($297/mo or included with Expert/AI plans).

Presets in Action

When you activate a saved preset, SiftMap loads the full filter configuration and shows matching properties on the map. Here is what that looks like with a favorited preset selected and results loading.

Example of favorited SiftMap presets

Favorited presets in the dropdown. One click loads the full filter configuration. The AI Score + Tier presets and the 50% Equity + Stacked preset are visible in the selector.

Stacked preset configuration

The 50% Equity + Stacked distressor preset active in SiftMap. 8,795 properties matched. Each pin on the map represents a property matching the equity and multi-distressor criteria.

AI preset enabled in SiftMap

An AI Score 50+ preset active in SiftMap. 16,498 properties matched. The AI layer dramatically narrows results compared to base criteria alone while surfacing highest-probability leads.

I run two parallel approaches. AI score presets for each zip tier give me the algorithmic edge. The 50% equity + stacked distressor preset gives me the motivation edge. Different data, different angles, same target market. Re-run Market Finder every 90 days and update your presets. The best operators treat their presets like a living system, not a one-time setup.

Niche vs. bulk sequential: Most SiftMap lists are large enough for bulk sequential marketing (power dialers, cheapest channel first). Niche sequential (the full 3-day cadence across every channel) only makes sense when your list is under 1,000 records from a high-priority neighborhood or zip code with stacked distressors. The Niche Sequential Marketing and Bulk Sequential Marketing pages cover the execution for each.

YOUR FILTERS ARE SET

48,000 records filtered to 500 targets. Now market them.

You just built your filter presets and preset strategy. SiftMap Pro is included with the Expert plan at $499/mo. Not sure which plan fits your list size? Our team can walk you through the options.

Execution

Adding Records to Your CRM

You have filtered. You have targeted. Now you add the records to your DataSift CRM for marketing and outreach.

1

Select Your Records

After applying your filters, SiftMap shows the record count for your current selection. Review the count against your plan's monthly limit before proceeding.

SiftMap with filters applied showing selected records

SiftMap with filters applied showing 299 matching properties. Review your record count against your plan's monthly limit before adding to your account.

2

Click "Add to Account"

The blue "Add to Account" button pulls your selected records into your CRM. Max 10,000 per single upload. If your list is larger, you will need multiple pulls.

Add records interface showing limits

The Add to Account interface with record count and plan limits.

3

Tag and Assign Lists

During the add process, assign a tag (e.g., "SiftMap_Mar2026_T1_ComoPark") and optionally assign to a list. Tags help you track which pull produced which records. System-generated prospect lists are assigned automatically.

Tags and list selection during record add

Tag and list assignment during the record add process.

4

Verify in Activity Log

After adding, check the Activity tab to confirm your upload processed correctly. You will see the record count, upload date, and any duplicates that were skipped.

Activity log showing upload history

Activity log confirming successful record upload.

Records flagged "incomplete" can be manually researched by a VA. 200 records a week. That is gold everyone else ignores. Incomplete records often mean missing phone numbers or addresses, but the property and owner data is still there.
Channel Strategy

Marketing Allocation by List Size

Your list size dictates your channel strategy. Bigger lists need cheaper channels. Smaller lists earn the expensive ones.

48K records
$0.03-$0.06
Cold call only
20-25K records
$0.50-$2.00
Bulk sequential + mail
500 records
Multi-channel
Niche sequential (call, text, mail, knock)
200 or fewer
$1.50-$4.00+
Personal attention + deep prospecting

The real math: "I would rather be the person at 4,000 records across seven different counties doing targeted outreach than the person at 48,000 records in one county just blasting calls." Scale right, but do fewer people that are more targeted in more counties.

List Intelligence

The Most Powerful Lists You Can Pull

16 proven list configurations. 8 singles, 2 age filters, 6 stacked combos. A blend of first-to-market county pulls and SiftMap filters. If you can pull it directly from the county, that's always best. Then enrich with SiftMap data like owner age, equity, and ownership duration.

Single Lists

Each targets a single distressor or life event. Several of these (probate, pre-foreclosure, tax delinquent, code violations, evictions) can be pulled first-to-market from your county clerk. SiftMap picks up the rest.

Probate
Heirs want cash. Highest average deal size in the vault. Property is emotional weight, not an asset.
FTM
Vacant
"The #1 most important motivation factor of all." Stacks with everything. If nobody lives there, somebody wants out.
Sift
Pre-Foreclosure (NOD)
Highest urgency variant. 30-90 day window before auction. Clock is ticking, and they know it.
FTM
Tax Delinquent
Compounding pressure. 7.5% of FL private sellers are tax delinquent. Financial strain that only gets worse.
FTM
Divorce
Court-mandated timeline. Forced seller by law. Both parties want this done yesterday.
Sift
Bankruptcy
Court-ordered liquidation. No negotiation leverage for the seller. The court decides, not the owner.
Sift
Eviction
Landlord at breaking point with a problem tenant. Tired of the fight, ready to sell the headache.
FTM
Code Violations
Municipality pressure plus repair costs. The city is on their back, and fixing it costs more than selling.
FTM

Age Filters

Demographics that signal life-stage motivation. Stack these with any single list above.

Owner Age 65+
2nd highest reason people sell. Unlocks senior downsizer, estate planning, and retirement stacks.
Sift
Owner Age 25-35
Overleveraged young owners. Pairs with Low Equity and Pre-Foreclosure for maximum financial pressure.
Sift

Power Stacks

Combine two or three filters for exponentially higher conversion. Each stack multiplies motivation signals.

Probate + Vacant
Vault-proven, highest conversion stack. Heir doesn't live there, wants cash fast. No emotional attachment to the property.
FTM Sift 2 filters
Pre-Foreclosure + Vacant
"Zombie Properties." Double distressor, maximum urgency. Nobody home, bank closing in. These move fast.
FTM Sift 2 filters
Age 65+ + High Equity + Free & Clear
Premium downsizing leads. $50K-$150K+ deals. No mortgage payoff eating your margin. Senior with full equity ready to simplify.
Sift 3 filters
Absentee + Vacant
Classic industry workhorse. Simple two-filter pull, consistent results. Both filters are free on every plan.
Sift 2 filters
Tax Delinquent + Pre-Foreclosure
Financial pressure from two directions at once. Avi's exact combo for $100K+ deals.
FTM 2 filters
Senior (55+) + Absentee + Multi-Property
"Gold leads." Ty's exact wording. 14 contracts in 2021, roughly 3 houses each, $1.3M revenue. Age plus inconvenience plus portfolio fatigue.
Sift 3 filters

The pattern: Two filters is good. Three is gold. Every additional filter narrows the list but multiplies the motivation per record. A 200-record hyper-niche list will outperform a 20,000-record spray-and-pray list every time.

Reference

Key Terms

Click any card to flip and see the definition.

Distressor

Click to flip

Definition

A motivation indicator on a property or owner that suggests higher likelihood of selling. Examples: tax delinquent, pre-foreclosure, senior owner, vacant. SiftMap Pro provides 24 distressor categories.

SiftMap Pro

Click to flip

Definition

Premium add-on ($297/mo, included in Expert and AI plans) that unlocks neighborhood-level geographic filtering, 24 distressor indicators, expanded owner details, and buyer data.

Prospect List

Click to flip

Definition

Auto-generated list assigned to records when added from SiftMap. Based on property and owner characteristics. 8 free lists (all plans) plus 24 Pro distressor lists.

List Stacking

Click to flip

Definition

When a single property qualifies for multiple prospect lists simultaneously. A property that is absentee, tax delinquent, and senior-owned stacks three lists. More stacking = higher motivation signal.

Base Criteria

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Definition

The five foundational filters applied to every SiftMap pull: asset type (SFR), estimated value (60% range), year built (pre-2000), years owned (5+), and equity (30%+). These form Filter Layer 1.

Geographic Filter

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Definition

Narrowing your data pull by location. Three levels: county (all plans), zip code (all plans), and neighborhood (SiftMap Pro required). Each level reduces list size and increases precision.

AI Score

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Definition

Predictive score (0-100) that estimates the likelihood of a property transaction. Three types: Investor Off-Market, Realtor, and Investor On-Market. Filter at 50+ to keep high-probability leads.

Preset

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Definition

Saved SiftMap filter configuration that can be activated with one click. Build tiered presets (T1 hyper-targeted, T2 focused, T3 volume) based on Market Finder analysis for repeatable data pulls.

Niche Sequential Marketing

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Definition

The full 3-day marketing cadence applied to small, highly targeted lists (under 1,000 records). Every property gets touched via call, text, direct mail, and door knock. The opposite of bulk sequential, which uses power dialers for large lists.

Record Limit

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Definition

Monthly free records included with each plan: Professional 10K, Business 25K, Expert 50K, AI 100K. Max 10K per single upload. Overage: $5 per additional 10K records.
Knowledge Check

Test Your Understanding

Seven questions on SiftMap filter strategy. All test framework understanding, not memorization.

1. What is the correct order of filter layers when building a targeted SiftMap list?

2. What does the "60% price range" refer to in the base characteristics filter?

3. Which plan tier is required for neighborhood-level geographic filtering in SiftMap?

4. A property is absentee, tax delinquent, and owned by a senior. How many prospect lists does it stack?

5. You have a list of 500 records after applying neighborhood and distressor filters. What marketing strategy fits this list size?

6. Adding an AI score filter of 50-100 to your SiftMap criteria typically reduces list size by approximately how much?

7. Why should the Years Owned filter be set to 5+ years?

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