Mastering Pre-Probate and Inheritance Leads Across Chicago: A Goldmine for Real Estate Investors
In Chicago—where inventory is tight, neighborhoods are rapidly evolving, and off-market deals are highly sought after—some of the best opportunities never hit the MLS or even enter probate court. These are Pre-Probate and inheritance leads: properties quietly transitioning ownership after a death, before any legal filings are made. For real estate professionals who act early and respectfully, this is a powerful way to connect with motivated sellers before the market knows they exist.
What Are Pre-Probate and Inheritance Leads?
Pre-Probate leads are generated when a property begins to change hands following a death—before a probate case is filed. In Cook County, many of these transfers happen outside the court system through:
- Living Trusts, which avoid probate entirely
- Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship, where a co-owner inherits automatically
- Spousal Transfers, where the surviving spouse retains full ownership
Also referred to as Inheritance or Trust-Owned Properties, these leads offer one major advantage: you reach the seller before the public does.
How SuccessorsData.com Created the Pre-Probate Category
Since 2012, SuccessorsData.com has matched obituary data with tax and deed records to uncover properties likely in transition. Originally focused on probate filings, the team discovered that many properties in Chicago are sold without ever entering court.
That insight led to the creation of the Pre-Probate category—recognized by Inman News and adopted by brokerages like Century 21 and thousands of independent investors.
Why Pre-Probate Leads Are a Strategic Advantage in Chicago
Chicago’s probate process is slow, fragmented, and paper-heavy. Cook County’s Surrogate’s Court requires formal or informal probate administration, and filings can take weeks or months to appear. Meanwhile, properties continue to change hands.
Consider:
- A two-flat in Logan Square is held in joint tenancy. After one spouse passes, the survivor inherits full ownership and quietly considers selling—without filing probate or listing the property.
- A greystone in Bronzeville, held in a family trust, passes to three siblings. Two live out of state and want to sell quickly. No court filings. No agent. Just a need for a solution.
Pre-Probate leads give you access to these sellers before anyone else knows they’re ready.
Probate vs. Inheritance-Based Sales
| Lead Type | Speed & Complexity | Probate Involved? |
| Probate Sale | Slow, court-supervised, legally complex | Yes |
| Trust/Inheritance Sale | Fast, private, standard closing process | No |
| Remainder Spouse Ownership | Immediate ownership transfer | No |
How to Reach Chicago Sellers Before the Market Does
Step 1: Use a Direct Mail Letter That Works
Here’s a proven message that performs well across Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, and Jefferson Park:
Dear Property Owner,
Would you consider selling your property located at [XYZ Street] in Chicago, Illinois to us?
I can be reached at (909) 315-5330.
Sincerely,
Morry Eghbal
P.S. If not today, please keep this letter for future reference.
Step 2: Automate with PostCardCity.com
PostCardCity.com helps you send mail that looks personal and local—handwritten-style fonts, first-class stamps, and Chicago-specific formatting. Whether you’re targeting South Shore, Avondale, or Beverly, your message gets opened.
When the Phone Rings—Be Ready to Listen
Chicago heirs are often juggling legal, emotional, and financial decisions. A calm, helpful tone builds trust.
Caller: “I got your letter about my aunt’s house in Englewood. Why did you send it?”
You: “Thanks for calling. We found the property through public tax records and wanted to reach out in case your family was considering a sale. I’d be happy to explain how we work.”
Then ask:
- Is the property vacant, rented, or occupied?
- Are you the sole decision-maker, or are other heirs involved?
- Do you have a timeline or price in mind?
- Are there any repairs or legal issues to consider?
- Do you own or manage other properties in the city?
Step 3: Use Skip Tracing to Find the Right Contact
Obituaries don’t include phone numbers or emails—but skip tracing does. For just 6 cents per lead, you can access:
- Up to 7 phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Alternate relatives or co-owners
This gives you a direct line to the decision-maker—before the property is listed or referred to an agent.
Step 4: Call at Scale with IQdial.com
IQdial.com helps you reach more Chicago leads in less time with:
- Triple-line dialing
- Voicemail automation
- Lead tracking and follow-up tools
Whether you’re calling leads in Pilsen, Rogers Park, or Austin, this tool keeps your outreach consistent and efficient.
Alternate Terms You Might Encounter
- Inheritance Leads – Properties passed to heirs
- Trust-Owned Properties – Homes held in a living or revocable trust
Different terms, same opportunity: reach out early, offer clarity, and close the deal before the public sees it.
About Morry Eghbal
Morry Eghbal is the founder of SuccessorsData.com, the nation’s most trusted provider of Pre-Probate, probate, and inheritance leads across 43,000+ ZIP codes and 500+ counties.
He also leads LeadCruncher.com, a real-time data platform delivering motivated seller leads to real estate professionals nationwide.
With over 30 years of experience in seller outreach, probate strategy, and automation, Morry helps professionals in Chicago and beyond connect early, close faster, and simplify off-market deal flow.
Want help launching your Chicago campaign? Call Morry directly at (909) 315-5330
