Objections

When a seller asks, "how did you get my number?"

When a seller asks how you got his or her phone number, the most straightforward answer is that you pulled public records. Explain that you use publicly available data, such as property records and other public registries, to find contact information for homeowners in his or her area.

October 14, 2026 · 5 min read

Why this question comes up

It is natural for homeowners to be surprised when an unfamiliar number texts them about buying their house. Many people are not aware that their contact information, including phone numbers and addresses, is often publicly accessible through various government records. This question stems from a combination of privacy concerns and simple curiosity about how you located them. He or she might be wary of scams or just trying to understand the process.

For investors, receiving this question is a common occurrence, and you should be prepared with a calm, confident answer. The seller is trying to gauge your legitimacy and understand if you are a credible party to do business with. How you handle this initial inquiry can significantly impact his or her willingness to continue the conversation about his or her property.

Your initial response sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. Approaching this question with honesty and transparency helps build rapport and trust, which is crucial for any potential deal. A direct, clear explanation can quickly alleviate his or her concerns and allow you to pivot back to his or her property and motivation.

The honest answer: public records

The most effective response is to state plainly that you use public records. You can explain that property ownership details, tax information, and sometimes even contact numbers are part of public data sets that anyone can access. This includes county recorder offices, tax assessor websites, and other government databases where such information is logged and made available. You are simply accessing information that is legally available to the public.

You can elaborate that you use this public information to identify properties that might fit your investment criteria and then look for ways to contact the owners. This process is standard practice for real estate investors who are looking to buy properties directly from homeowners. It helps you reach homeowners who may be considering a sale but have not yet listed their property with an agent.

Being upfront about the source of the information helps demystify your outreach. It clarifies that your methods are above board and based on publicly accessible data, not on private or illicit means. This transparency can go a long way in establishing a foundation of trust with a potentially motivated seller.

What to avoid saying

Do not get defensive or vague when asked this question. Avoid making up excuses or being evasive, as this can immediately break trust and make the seller suspicious. If you sound like you are hiding something, he or she will likely disengage from the conversation.

Avoid mentioning specific data vendors or tools by name, as that is unnecessary detail for the seller and can sound technical or intimidating. Your goal is to simplify the explanation, not complicate it with industry jargon. Just stick to the general idea of "public records" or "publicly available data."

Also, avoid making it sound like you "found" a secret or have some exclusive access. The information is public, so frame it that way. Saying something like, "I have my ways" or "That's proprietary information" will only raise suspicions and make the seller less likely to engage further. Keep your explanation concise and focused on the publicly available nature of the data.

Reassuring the seller about privacy

After explaining the source, you can offer a brief reassurance about his or her privacy. You can state that you respect his or her privacy and that the information is used solely for the purpose of inquiring about his or her property. Emphasize that you are not sharing his or her information with anyone else or using it for any other purpose.

If the seller expresses discomfort or a strong desire for privacy, offer to remove his or her number from your outreach list immediately if that is what he or she prefers. This action demonstrates respect for his or her wishes and can sometimes de-escalate the situation, even if he or she ultimately decides to continue the conversation. Showing empathy for his or her concern can build goodwill.

Your goal here is to address his or her concern directly and then move past it. Do not let the conversation get stuck on this point. A quick, honest answer followed by reassurance is usually sufficient to address the privacy objection and transition to discussing the property itself.

Shifting back to their motivation

Once you have answered the question clearly and offered reassurance, pivot back to the reason you contacted him or her in the first place: his or her property. You can say something like, "The reason I reached out is because I noticed your property at [address] and I buy houses in the area. Are you still considering selling?" This refocuses the discussion on the potential transaction.

This redirect brings the conversation back to business and focuses on his or her potential needs and his or her property. It is important not to dwell on the "how did you get my number" question for too long once it has been addressed. Your primary objective is to understand his or her situation and see if you can provide a solution by purchasing his or her house.

By smoothly transitioning, you indicate that you have respectfully answered his or her question and are now ready to discuss the opportunity. This shows professionalism and keeps the conversation productive. Always steer back to his or her property and motivation to keep the deal alive.

Questions people ask

Is it legal to use public records for contact info?

Yes, using information from public records, such as county tax assessor data or recorded deeds, is generally legal because these records are accessible to the public. Investors commonly use this data to identify properties and owners for outreach.

Should I tell him or her about skip tracing?

You do not need to use the term "skip tracing" with a seller. It is a technical term for your process. Just explain that you use public records to find contact information for property owners.

What if he or she asks for a specific source?

You can mention general categories like "county property records" or "public tax records." Avoid getting into the specifics of your data providers or proprietary methods, as that is unnecessary and can complicate the explanation.