This post is part of our complete guide: Cold Calling Real Estate: Scripts for Every Lead Source (2026 Guide) →
An absentee owner is someone who owns a property but does not live in it, usually because it is a rental, a second home, an inherited home, or a place they kept after moving away. You can spot them in public records when the owner's mailing address is different from the property address, and a good absentee owner script opens by asking what their plans are for that property.
Absentee owners decide on numbers and hassle more than emotion. Some want to sell, some want to buy more, and some are tired of managing from a distance, and the script below works for all three.
Hi, is this [Name]? Hey [Name], this is [Your Name] with [Brokerage]. I'm calling about your property on [Street] in [City]. Do you still own that one?
Great. I work a lot in that area, and I'm reaching out to owners who don't live in their properties, because the plans tend to vary a lot. Are you planning to hold onto it for a while, or have you thought about selling at some point?
- If they say "It's a rental and we're keeping it": say "That makes sense. Are you looking to add another property, or is one enough to manage right now?"
- If they say "We've thought about selling": say "What has you thinking about it? Is it the tenant side, the market, or something else?"
- If they say "How did you get my information?": say "Ownership records are public, and I call owners in that area. If you'd rather not hear from me, I'm happy to take you off my list."
This call builds on the approach in our real estate cold calling guide. The difference is that an absentee owner has no emotional attachment to the neighborhood news you would use on a circle prospecting script, so lead with their plans and their numbers instead.
Which Absentee Owner Script to Use When
| Situation | Script | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Any owner who lives elsewhere | First call | Learn whether they plan to hold, sell or buy |
| The property is a rental | Landlord script | Uncover tenant or management fatigue |
| The property looks vacant or was inherited | Vacant or inherited script | Understand the plan and the timeline |
| No answer | Voicemail | Get a callback with a specific reason |
The Landlord Script
Landlords respond to questions about returns and hassle, so ask about their strategy first.
How long have you owned the place on [Street]? And what's your strategy with it right now: long-term hold, short-term rental, or something else?
How has it been managing it from a distance? Do you have a property manager, or are you handling tenants yourself?
A lot of owners in that area have built up more equity than they realize. Would it help if I sat down with you for 20 minutes and showed you what it would sell for against what it's earning you, so you can decide whether to keep it, sell it, or trade into something else?
- If they say "The rent covers the mortgage, so it's fine": say "That's a good spot to be in. Do you know what your equity is doing in the meantime? Sometimes that number changes the decision."
- If they say "The tenants have been a headache": say "I hear that a lot. What would it take for you to be done with it?"
- If they say "I'd rather buy another one": say "Then let's look at that. What would the next property need to have for the numbers to work?"
The Vacant or Inherited Property Script
Some absentee owners have a home sitting empty after a move, a job change, or a family member's passing. Keep the tone gentle, and if the property came through an estate that is still in probate, switch to the probate real estate script.
It looks like the home on [Street] may not have anyone living in it right now. Is that right?
What's the plan for it? Are you thinking of renting it, selling it, or keeping it in the family?
Is there a timeline you're working toward, or has it just been sitting while life gets busy?
- If they say "We haven't decided": say "That's common. Would it help to know what it would rent for against what it would sell for? That usually makes the decision easier."
- If they say "It needs a lot of work": say "A lot of owners in your spot sell it as-is. I can come by and show you what that would look like next to fixing it up first."
Ready to Win the Moment?
See how Sayso gives your team real-time guidance on every call.
The Absentee Owner Voicemail
Include the address, since many absentee owners have more than one property. For more examples, see our realtor voicemail scripts.
Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] with [Brokerage]. I'm calling about your property on [Street] in [City]. I have some recent numbers on what homes like it are renting and selling for, and I'd be happy to share them. Call or text me at [Number].
Printable Absentee Owner Call Sheet
Absentee owner call sheet
Open: "Calling about your property on [Street]. Do you still own that one? Planning to hold it, or have you thought about selling?"
Landlord: Strategy: long-term hold, short-term rental, other? Property manager or self-managed? "20 minutes to compare what it sells for against what it earns?"
Vacant or inherited: Anyone living there? Rent, sell, or keep in the family? Timeline?
Buyer angle: "Looking to add another property? What would the numbers need to be?"
Voicemail: "Calling about [Street] in [City]. Recent rent and sale numbers to share. [Number]."
Objections on Absentee Owner Calls
- "I'm not selling." Ask whether they are looking to buy instead, then offer a yearly equity update. The not interested objection page has more exits that keep the door open.
- "Maybe in a year or two." Ask what would need to happen for that timeline to move, and set a follow-up. See the not ready yet objection for wording.
- "I'd just sell it to an investor." Offer to compare a quick sale against listing it, so they see the difference in what they would walk away with.
If an absentee owner mentions they are behind on payments, slow down and use the approach in our pre-foreclosure script. If the property is part of a separation, the divorce listing script explains how to stay neutral between both owners.
How Sayso Helps on Absentee Owner Calls
Absentee owners can move in three directions on the same call, from selling to renting to buying another property. Sayso shows the next line live during the call with Sayso Cue, so when a landlord pivots from "we're keeping it" to "we might buy another," the right question is already on your screen. Smart Capture writes the notes to your CRM, including their strategy and timeline. To see how it works, book a demo.
FAQ
What does absentee owner mean? An absentee owner is a person or company that owns a property but does not live in it. Rentals, vacation homes, inherited homes, and homes kept after a move all count. In public records, the owner's mailing address is different from the property address.
How do you find absentee owners? Pull a list from public records or a data provider and filter for properties where the owner's mailing address doesn't match the property address.
Are absentee owners good leads for real estate agents? They can be, because their decisions tend to be practical. Some are tired of managing a property from a distance, some want to sell while they have equity, and some want to buy more. Ask about their plans first rather than assuming they want to sell.
What should you say in an absentee owner voicemail? Name the property address, give one specific reason to call back, such as recent rent and sale numbers, and leave your number. Keep it under 20 seconds.
Sayso Team
Team
