Buying leads

How to confirm lead source claims about property type filtering

When you buy leads, you need to know if the properties match what the provider claims. This means verifying the lead source's filtering for property types, so you are not wasting time on irrelevant houses.

October 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Why property type filtering matters for your strategy

Every investor has a specific type of property that fits his or her investment model. If you primarily flip single-family homes, getting a multi-family or commercial lead can be a distraction.

Good lead sources will allow you to specify the property types you want. Your job is to make sure what you ask for is what you actually receive.

Confirming this upfront saves you time, money, and frustration on leads that are not a good fit for you.

Check the initial data points

When you first get a lead, look at the basic property data. This includes the property address, the stated property type, and any other identifying features provided by the lead source.

Some providers will list a property type directly, such as 'single-family residence' or 'duplex'. Pay attention to these fields.

If the data is vague, like just an address, you will need to do more digging right away.

Cross-reference with public records

The most reliable way to confirm a property's type is through public records. Go to the county assessor's or recorder's website for the property's location.

Search for the property address or parcel number. The property card or tax record will typically list the property classification or use code. This is usually very specific, like 'residential single-family' or 'residential multi-family (2 units)'.

This step is non-negotiable for verification. Do not just trust what is listed by a lead provider; verify it yourself.

Verify a sample of addresses

You do not need to check every single lead, especially if you buy many. Instead, verify a consistent sample. Suppose you buy 100 leads; pick 10 random ones to check against public records.

If your sample consistently matches your requested property types, you can be more confident in the lead source's filtering.

If you find discrepancies, expand your sample. If the issue persists, you need to address it with your lead provider.

Communicate with your lead provider

If you find that the property types are not matching your criteria, open a conversation with your lead provider. Share your findings and the public record data you used for verification.

A good provider will want to understand the issue and explain his or her filtering process. He or she might adjust settings or clarify how certain property types are categorized.

This communication is part of holding a lead source accountable for the product it sells you.

Adjust your buying criteria

Sometimes the discrepancy is not an error but a difference in categorization. For example, some counties might classify a duplex differently than others.

You may need to adjust your buying criteria with the provider, or even your own internal filters, based on how the data actually comes in.

The goal is to get leads that are actionable for you, not just to find fault. Be flexible if it means getting better leads.

For more on how to work a lead once you have it, check out /how-to-work-your-leads. To understand different lead options, visit /lead-types.

Questions people ask

How often should I check if the lead types match?

Check a random sample of new leads weekly or bi-weekly, especially when starting with a new source or if you notice an unusual number of irrelevant properties. If things are consistent, you can check less frequently.

What if a lead comes in for a property type I did not ask for?

Document it and cross-reference with public records. If it's an isolated incident, it might be an anomaly. If it becomes a pattern, raise it with your lead provider. You might also reconsider if the lead is still worth pursuing depending on your broader strategy.

Can I get a refund if the property type is wrong?

That depends on your agreement with the lead provider. Some providers offer credits or refunds for leads that do not meet agreed-upon criteria. Always understand the refund or credit policy before buying leads, as outlined in /compare/pay-per-lead-vs-subscription.