Skip tracing

How to interpret skip trace results for a non-primary residence

When dealing with non-primary residence properties, such as rentals or vacation homes, skip trace results often include numbers not directly associated with the owner's personal phone. Interpreting these results helps you prioritize contact attempts effectively.

October 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Look for patterns indicating a business or property management contact

When you skip trace an absentee owner or a vacation home owner, you might see numbers that appear to be business lines or a property management company. Look for multiple numbers associated with the same business name or an address different from the owner's listed residence.

These numbers are still valuable. While your initial goal is to reach the owner, a property manager or business contact can sometimes direct you to the owner or relay your message. Prioritize direct owner numbers first, but keep these in your follow-up sequence.

Differentiate between owner's primary mobile and other contacts

For non-primary residences, an owner might have a dedicated phone number for his or her investment properties or a secondary mobile number for personal use. Your skip trace data should ideally prioritize mobile numbers associated with the owner's primary residence.

If you have several mobile numbers, try the one most consistently linked to the owner's known home address first. Other numbers might be older, business-related, or less frequently checked.

Consider the owner's profession or business type

If public records or your skip trace results indicate the owner is a real estate professional, an attorney, or runs a business, you might get numbers for his or her office. This is common for investors who own multiple properties.

When calling such numbers, be prepared to speak to a gatekeeper or administrative assistant. Clearly state your purpose (e.g., 'I am calling about the property at 123 Main Street') to help him or her direct your call appropriately.

Look for landlines at the non-primary residence address

Sometimes, a skip trace might return a landline number for the non-primary residence itself. For a vacant property, this number is likely disconnected or unused. For a rental, it could belong to a tenant. This is where careful interpretation is key.

Avoid calling numbers at the property's address if you suspect it is a tenant's line, as you want to avoid disturbing his or her tenants. Focus on numbers explicitly linked to the owner's other known addresses.

Use a multi-channel approach for hard-to-reach owners

When interpreting results for non-primary residences, recognize that getting a direct hit on the owner's personal mobile might be harder. If your primary numbers do not connect, consider layering your approach.

Combine phone calls with direct mail to the owner's mailing address (if different from the property address) and email outreach if you have a verified email. A consistent multi-channel approach increases your chances of connecting with an absentee owner who might not check all communication channels regularly.

Questions people ask

What if the skip trace only gives me landlines for an absentee owner?

Prioritize landlines associated with the owner's known mailing address, not the property address if it's a rental. If you only have landlines, start with those, but also consider a direct mail piece to his or her mailing address.

How do I know if a number is a business line or a personal mobile?

Context clues in your skip trace data can help. If the number is listed with a company name, it's likely a business line. Also, look for multiple numbers from the same skip trace provider; they often try to differentiate between mobile and landline, or personal and business.

Should I try calling a tenant if I get his or her number from a skip trace?

No, generally avoid contacting tenants directly. Your agreement is with the owner. Contacting a tenant without the owner's permission can create friction and put the owner on the defensive, making him or her less likely to work with you.