Skip Trace Accuracy Tips
Skip tracing is only as good as its results. A 75% hit rate sounds decent until you realize that means one in four contacts is a dead end. The difference between a 60% and an 85% hit rate is not just accuracy — it is the difference between a profitable outreach campaign and a frustrating waste of time. Here is how to maximize the quality of your skip trace results.
Start with better input data
The number one factor in skip trace accuracy is the quality of the data you submit. Skip trace providers match your inputs against their databases. Better inputs produce better matches.
Full legal name
Include first name, middle name or initial, last name, and any suffix (Jr., Sr., III). "John Smith" will return dozens of matches. "John Michael Smith Jr." narrows it to one. If the property is owned by an entity, include the entity name as well — some providers can trace from entity names to individual contacts.
Mailing address, not just property address
The mailing address is where the owner actually receives mail. For absentee owners, this is a different address than the property. The mailing address is a stronger match point because it represents where the person currently lives, which correlates with current phone numbers and active email addresses.
Include both addresses
When possible, submit both the property address and the mailing address. Providers use both to cross-reference and improve match confidence. Two data points are better than one.
Clean your data
Before submitting a batch, standardize address formats (abbreviations, directionals, unit numbers), remove duplicates, and fix obvious typos. A misspelled street name can cause a complete miss even when the provider has the correct person in their database. Use your investor search tools to pull clean, standardized data.
Choose the right provider for your use case
Not all skip trace providers are equal. They use different data sources, different matching algorithms, and different pricing models. The best provider for you depends on your volume, budget, and use case.
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Hit rate | 70-85% for phone, 50-70% for email. Test with known contacts. |
| Data freshness | How recently were their databases updated? Monthly is good, quarterly is acceptable. |
| Batch capability | Can you submit 100-1000 records at once? Batch processing saves time and money. |
| API access | For automated workflows, API integration eliminates manual uploads. |
| Caching | Does the provider cache results so re-tracing the same person is free? This saves money. |
| DNC/TCPA flags | Does the provider flag numbers on the Do Not Call registry or known TCPA litigators? |
Test providers before committing. Submit 50-100 records that you already have verified contact information for and compare the results. This gives you a real hit rate measurement rather than relying on the provider's marketing claims.
Verify results before outreach
Raw skip trace data should be verified before you use it for outreach. Verification adds a small cost per record but dramatically improves your contact rates.
Email verification
Run returned email addresses through an email verification service. These check whether the email exists, whether the mailbox accepts mail, and whether the domain is active. Remove hard bounces before sending. Sending to invalid addresses damages your sender reputation and can get your domain blacklisted.
Phone type identification
Identify whether each returned phone number is a mobile, landline, or VoIP line. Mobile numbers are best for texting and typically more current. Landlines are fine for calling but cannot receive texts. VoIP numbers may be temporary or business lines.
DNC and TCPA screening
Scrub all phone numbers against the National Do Not Call Registry and known TCPA litigator databases before any phone or text outreach. This is not optional — the fines for calling DNC-registered numbers or known litigators can exceed $40,000 per violation.
Maximize accuracy for LLC-owned properties
Properties owned by LLCs are harder to skip trace because the entity name does not directly correspond to an individual person. See our full guide on LLC skip tracing for detailed strategies. The short version: look up the LLC's registered agent and mailing address through your state's Secretary of State database, then skip trace the individual associated with that entity.
Cache results to avoid re-paying
Once you have skip traced a contact, store the results in your CRM with the date traced. Re-tracing the same person a month later wastes money unless their information has changed (bounced email, disconnected phone). Build a habit of checking your cache before submitting new batches.
Over time, your cached skip trace database becomes one of your most valuable business assets. After a year of consistent tracing, you may have 2,000-5,000 cached contacts with verified phone numbers and emails — a ready-made outreach list for any deal you acquire.
When to re-trace
Re-trace a contact when:
- Their phone number is disconnected or reassigned
- Their email bounces
- It has been 12+ months since the last trace (contact info can change)
- They have acquired new properties under a different entity name
- Your previous trace returned zero results and you now have better input data
Do not re-trace your entire list monthly. That is wasteful. Re-trace selectively based on specific signals that the existing data has gone stale.
Accuracy benchmarks
| Metric | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone hit rate | 80-90% | 65-80% | Below 65% |
| Email hit rate | 60-75% | 40-60% | Below 40% |
| Phone contact rate (right person answers) | 40-55% | 25-40% | Below 25% |
| Email deliverability (after verification) | 95%+ | 85-95% | Below 85% |
If your numbers fall in the "poor" range consistently, either your input data needs cleaning or your provider needs replacing. Track these metrics per batch so you can identify trends and adjust your process.