How to verify skip trace phone numbers before calling a seller

Why verify skip trace results?

You spend time and effort on every call you make. A bad phone number means that time is wasted, and it can also flag your number as spam if you constantly hit disconnected lines. Verifying your skip trace results cleans your data before you even start dialing.

Good data hygiene means you reach real sellers more often, which is the point of the whole exercise. It also prevents you from bothering people who are not the homeowner you are trying to reach.

Understanding what a skip trace returns

A skip trace service typically returns multiple phone numbers for a given property owner. These can include mobile lines, landlines, and sometimes business numbers or numbers associated with relatives.

You will usually get a 'best contact' number, but this is not always perfect. It is important to know which numbers are mobiles, as these are the ones you can text. Landlines are generally for calls only.

Sometimes you will receive a number that is not even for the person you are looking for. This is why verification is not an optional step if you want to be efficient. What a skip trace actually returns can vary, so understand the output you are getting.

Manual verification steps

One simple way to verify a number is to cross-reference it with publicly available information. Search the name and number online; sometimes, you can find social media profiles or other public listings that confirm a match.

Another method is to make a quick, silent call from a masked number. If it rings multiple times and goes to voicemail with a generic message, that is often a better sign than an immediate busy signal or a 'number disconnected' message. Do not leave a message if you are just testing the line.

For numbers you suspect might be connected, but are unsure, you could try a quick text saying something like, 'Hello, is this [Owner's Name]?' without further context. This helps determine if the number is active and connected to the right person without over-committing your time.

Using ringless voicemail or initial texts for soft verification

Ringless voicemail drops can be a low-impact way to test a batch of numbers. If the voicemail goes through, you know the line is active. You will get some callbacks, which further confirms the contact.

Sending a very general initial text message can also serve as a soft verification. If you get a reply, even if it is a 'wrong number,' you know the line is live and someone is monitoring it. Be ready to pivot if it is indeed the wrong person.

Dealing with wrong numbers and disconnected lines

Mark wrong numbers or disconnected lines in your CRM immediately. Do not call them again for that lead. If you get a 'wrong number' reply to a text, respect it and remove that number from your outreach queue.

Sometimes a number might be temporarily out of service. If you have other numbers for the seller, try those. Otherwise, move on. Your time is better spent on leads with good contact information.

Prioritizing numbers: mobile first, then landline

Always prioritize mobile numbers. Sellers are far more likely to answer or reply to a text on their mobile phone. It is also the only way to establish a text message conversation, which is often less confrontational for a first contact.

Landlines are secondary. Many people do not answer unknown landline calls anymore, or the line might be a dedicated fax or business line. If you have no mobile number, then a landline is your next best option for a call.